Following England’s impressive 2-1 win over Italy in Naples on Thursday, Kalvin Phillips shared a moment alongside Leeds United star Willy Gnonto with both players smiling in a photo posted on Twitter by the YEP’s Joe Donnohue.
Phillips was a surprise inclusion in the England starting line-up as Gareth Southgate’s men got their Euro 2024 qualification campaign off to a winning start. The Three Lions dominated the first half, and should have been 3-0 up.
Declan Rice and Harry Kane got the goals before Jack Grealish missed a sitter. In the second half, Italy were much the stronger – and got one back through Mateo Retegui. But England did enough to hold down, despite a red card.
Luke Shaw was sent off for a second yellow towards the end of the game. Phillips – despite his lack of game time at Manchester City since swapping Leeds for Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions – saw out the entire match.
Phillips left Leeds before the arrival of Gnonto at Elland Road – the duo failing to cross paths at Leeds. But, clearly, that Leeds affection is still felt by both. Gnonto came on for the last 20 minutes and both were pictured at full-time.
Photo: Kalvin Phillips shares moment with Leeds star Willy Gnonto at FT
Of course, Gnonto has also been linked with Phillips’ Manchester City. Gazzetta Dello Sport report that Guardiola’s side are battling the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. 90Min say there is interest in Italy, with five Serie A clubs keen.
But it seems unlikely both players were smiling about a potential move to City, and instead conversing from a Leeds point of view. While Phillips looks on from the top of the Premier League, Gnonto holds the key to keeping Leeds up.
England and Phillips, meanwhile, have secured a win in what looked like the toughest fixture of their qualifying campaign. Next up, is Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday. Italy travel the short distance to Malta on Sunday evening.
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