Graeme Souness has given his verdict on former Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who is on loan at West Ham United from Manchester City at the moment.
The Liverpool legend and talkSPORT pundit does not think that Phillips is good enough to play in the Premier League.
So, what has Graeme Souness said about former Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips? Let’s take a look.
Graeme Souness not impressed with former Leeds United ace Kalvin Phillips
Well, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness does not think that Kalvin Phillips has proved himself in the Premier League.
The talkSPORT pundit has said that Manchester City have offloaded the former Leeds United midfielder after realising that they made a mistake in signing him in the summer of 2022 for £42 million (The Athletic).
Phillips struggled to make an impact at City and joined Premier League rivals West Ham United on a loan deal in the January transfer window. The midfielder was sent off against Nottingham Forest this past weekend.
Souness said about Phillips on talkSPORT: “Is he a Premier League player? Why do you [Alan Pardew] say that?”
Former West Ham United manager Alan Pardew replied: ““He’s been terrific for England.”
Souness said: “You know how many games he starts for England? England play Micky Mouse games most of the time. Not to discredit England, Scotland do as well. But the teams that play today are, you know, the likes of Yugoslavia was dissolved and you’re playing about eight nations from that area now. They’re joke games!
“Al [Alan], you can’t say he’s a very good player but it’s the wrong move for West Ham. I think he’s played, I’m just getting a check, 65 games in the Premier League.
“He was at Leeds, comes up, one season in the Premier League. 69 [Premier League games] now. Gets a big move to Man City, that’s on someone’s opinion, they quickly realise, he’s not what we thought we were getting and they’ve moved him on. For me, he’s still to prove that he’s a top player in the Premier League.”
My View: Kalvin Phillips will prove himself
In my opinion, Kalvin Phillips will prove himself in the Premier League. Yes, he has not been great since he left Leeds United, but there is no doubt that he has a lot of talent and is very good. He was a star at Elland Road.
Manchester City would not have signed Phillips if they did not think that he was good enough for them. City manager Pep Guardiola does not bring in average players.
Things have not worked out for Phillips at City and he is not having the best of times on loan at West Ham United either, but that does not mean that he is not good.
Phillips has played 31 times for England. A big club like West Ham thought that he was good enough for them. Let us not write off the 28-year-old.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
