Kalvin Phillips isn't useless - but he may not find himself again unless he returns home - The Mirror

Philllips has only played a handful matches for the Hammers so far. It’s fair to say he’s been nowhere near his best. However, ‘useless,’ he ain’t.

Let's get one thing straight: Kalvin Phillips isn’t useless.

‌He wasn’t when he emerged from the Marcelo Bielsa era at Leeds to earn himself a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. He wasn’t when he partnered Declan Rice as the Three Lions suffered yet more penalty shoot-out heartbreak in the Euros. He wasn’t when he was named as England’s player of the season that year, either. And he certainly wasn’t when Manchester City signed him for £45million on a six-year deal.

‌So the criticism that flew his way from an irate punter after West Ham collapsed at St James’s Park when he Phillips boarded the team bus was unwarranted. Emotions were raw. It happens. Tossing away a two-goal lead to lose in the last few minutes, no-one is happy.

Now, Philllips has only played a handful matches for the Hammers so far. It’s fair to say he’s been nowhere near his best. However, ‘useless,’ he ain’t. There can be no doubt, though, that hard-luck stories are following him about like a dog chasing a bone.

‌He gave away a penalty on Tyneside, within minutes of coming off the subs’ bench. That was on the back of a horror start when he offered up a goal on a plate to Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke within three minutes of his Hammers’ debut.

Then there was a sending-off at Nottingham Forest. Two bookings inside three minutes. Referee Thomas Bramall didn’t do him any favours, either. Finally, he’s been substituted at half-time with the Hammers two goals down against Burnley.

‌Eastenders’ boss David Moyes said he hopes he can ‘crack the code’ regarding Phillips. He could start by playing him in his best position. I was present at the game at the City Ground. Phillips was used in a three-man midfield and didn’t look comfortable from the first whistle.

His later dismissal was avoidable but came about because he grew in frustration at his inability to influence the game in any meaningful way. Afterwards, more out of hope than expectation, I asked for a few words from him afterwards.

Usually, players who have been sent off don’t want to speak. They duck out. They wander past, pretending not to have heard or, alternatively, politely declining. Phillips didn’t. His honesty was refreshing.

He was forthright. He spoke about his time at Manchester City and the jibe - for which he later received an apology from Pep Guardiola - for being ‘overweight.’ He said that he didn’t have to leave, but that he wanted to - to play football because that’s what he is, a footballer. At the end of a ten-minute chat, it was difficult not to come to the conclusion that to get the best out of Kalvin Phillips, a bit of TLC is required. He looked, if I’m being truthful, a little lost. Insecure. Needing reassurance. He can have that, here.

‌I’d interviewed him once before, just after Euro 2020, and he cut a very different figure. Relaxed, certain in himself within Bielsa’s squad at Leeds United - and sure in his role within a Three Lions’ team choc-full of confidence.

‌Fast forward a couple of years and the person stood before me was much changed. All the confidence appears to have disappeared. He’s not sure of himself or what his role is. Hopefully, salvation is to hand.

‌Daniel Farke’s remarkable overhaul of Leeds Utd could offer him a route back to professional happiness. He needs to feel loved. He needs to be cared for. Leeds United are many things - and passionately protective of their own comes high on the list. He will be hoping his former club gets over the line. It would be a good fit.

‌Hopefully, Kalvin Phillips can find some peace and thrive on a football field again. It’s an obvious next move - Guardiola, simply, doesn’t want him. He can go to doing what he’s good at, in a positive environment where he will have significant credit in the bank. He’s already got plenty of cash in there. Kalvin, if you want to find happiness again - it may be time to go home.

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