James Ward-Prowse has voiced his belief that Kalvin Phillips, whom he describes as “really special,” has the potential to secure his position in the England team for the upcoming European Championships, provided he plays regularly with West Ham.
After a challenging period at Manchester City, where limited playing time was compounded by fitness concerns and minimal usage by manager Pep Guardiola—who expressed regret over his rigid approach in December—Phillips made a loan move to the Hammers for the season. His debut for West Ham was less than ideal, with an errant pass leading directly to a goal by Dominic Solanke, following a mistake from Kurt Zouma. Despite this rocky start, Phillips managed 67 minutes on the pitch in his first Premier League start of the season against Bournemouth, showing signs of settling in. Ward-Prowse is confident that consistent playtime will be advantageous for Phillips.
Describing Phillips, Ward-Prowse shared with The Mirror, “He’s really special. With his extensive experience in high-stakes games and years at a top club like City, he definitely has something to prove. Having him on our team is fantastic, and we’re optimistic about the positive impact he’ll bring.”
With the European Championships on the horizon, the competition for spots in the England squad is intense. “Kalvin and I both feel we have something to prove,” Ward-Prowse mentioned, acknowledging the pressure to perform. “Ultimately, the England manager [Gareth Southgate] selects the team based on his strategy, but from my time playing alongside Kalvin, his skill with the ball and his ability to distribute it effectively, not to mention his strong character, are evident.”
Phillips has maintained his position in the England squad in spite of limited appearances at the club level, having been selected for the national team as many times as he played for City this season during the international breaks in September, October, and November.
As the Euro 2024 in Germany approaches, and Gareth Southgate begins refining his squad, Phillips’ move to secure more playing time by leaving City reflects the importance of regular participation in the lead-up to the tournament.
