Kalvin Phillips’ challenging transition to West Ham was evident again during their 2-2 draw against Burnley this Sunday. At halftime, with the Hammers down 2-0, Phillips was substituted off, marking another game where he did not play the full 90 minutes. This was only his third start in the Premier League this season, and the team needed a last-minute goal from Danny Ings to salvage a point against Burnley, the league’s bottom-ranked team at the time.
Phillips’ move to the Hammers in January came after considerable anticipation following a drawn-out transfer saga. Newcastle United had shown significant interest but were unable to meet Manchester City’s loan fee and wage demands due to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Eddie Howe, speaking on the matter, indicated that Newcastle had to back out of the deal for financial reasons, stating, “We had to step away from that one due to financial reasons. I don’t want to go into too much detail but it was financial-related.”
At the time, missing out on Phillips seemed a setback for Newcastle, especially with their midfield options limited by injuries and suspensions. Yet, given Phillips’ struggles to find form at West Ham and the tight enforcement on financial regulations, it appears Newcastle may have avoided a risky financial move.
Following the draw with Burnley, some West Ham fans expressed their frustration on social media, criticizing the club’s decision to sign Phillips. One fan lamented, “Indulging in the signing of Phillips was a terrible decision. He’s obviously a good lad who wants to play football but he’s not even half the player he was at Leeds,” highlighting Alvarez’s superior performance. Another pointed out, “No coincidence that West Ham started winning the midfield battle once Kalvin Phillips was taken off for Alvarez,” questioning Phillips’ suitability for the starting eleven.
Further criticism was directed at David Moyes, with a fan suggesting, “Moyes time is up. The end of the season for him to leave can’t come soon enough,” and branding Phillips’ signing as one of the club’s worst loan decisions.
West Ham’s focus now shifts to the second leg of their Europa League knockout tie against Freiburg and an upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa. Following the international break, they will face Newcastle United, offering Phillips and the team a chance to turn around their fortunes.
