After England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark in the second group stage of the Euro 2020, manager Gareth Southgate’s explanation for the midfield struggles pointed fingers at the absence of Calvin Phillips, quickly igniting fan anger online.
In a post-match interview, Southgate said, “Although Alexander Arnold had some moments, our midfield search is ongoing. No one can fully replace Phillips yet, and adjustments are not delivering the desired outcome.”
Reacting strongly, fans took to social media, with one stating, “The blame lies with the coach, not the players,” while another quipped, “Southgate seems overly reliant on Phillips, overlooking Mount on the bench.” Critiques even reached the FA, questioning the faith placed in Southgate.
Phillips was left out due to a decline in form, with his numerous errors during his loan spell at West Ham leading to defensive issues. He was returned to Manchester City early after the season ended.
Despite his dip in form, Phillips remained a regular in World Cup qualifiers, sparking controversy. Under pressure, Southgate ultimately excluded him from the Euro 2020 squad.
As a key figure in England’s run to the final in 2020, Phillips, known for his passing vision, was dubbed “Yorkshire Pirlo” – a stark contrast to the more defensively-minded midfielder Declan Rice.
In Phillips’ absence, Southgate tried to utilize Alexander Arnold in a midfield role, relying on his long passes. However, Arnold’s performance against Denmark was lackluster, being substituted early, with Conor Gallagher coming on instead.
Southgate’s lingering attachment to Phillips appears to overshadow the strong performances of young midfielders like Kieran Mount and Colm Palmer. Mount received minimal playing time, while the top scorer in last season’s Europa League, Palmer, remains unused.