England manager Gareth Southgate has stated that the Three Lions do not have a natural alternative for Leeds United academy graduate Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips was a critical member of the England team that advanced to the Euro 2020 final. He was also a member of the group that competed in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, a lack of game time at Manchester City pushed him down the pecking order, and a loan transfer to West Ham United proved unsuccessful. Despite being one of Southgate’s most trusted lieutenants, Phillips did not make the Euro 2024 squad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has assumed the midfield slot next to Declan Rice that Phillips previously held. The native Liverpool star has struggled, as he was pulled early in the second half of Denmark’s 1-1 tie.
Speaking after the game about Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield, Southgate said: “It is an experiment, and we know we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips. We’re trying new things, and we’re definitely not flowing as well as we’d want right now.”
The comment drew a lot of attention from fans, who were frustrated that Southgate had not put together a succession plan. There has been speculation that Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton will play, but he was an unused replacement in Frankfurt for the Denmark match.
England leads Group C coming into the last game of the first round against Slovenia in Cologne.
