Plenty of Leeds United supporters hit out at Declan Rice on the weekend, claiming Kalvin Phillips should be in the England squad over the Hammers star.
The 20-year-old helped Gareth Southgate’s side to a 4-0 win over Kosovo on Sunday.
Rice turned out alongside Harry Winks and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle of the park, however, in the views of some, struggled to make his mark.
Phillips, 23, has been one of the Championship’s standout performers following Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival at Elland Road, and a section of Leeds supporters shared their views on the Whites star and the Hammers ace.
Twitter: How has Kalvin Phillips not had an @England call up but you got Rice in there ? (@lufc_joel)
Twitter: Phillips is better than Rice. https://t.co/0t80F2nhfG (@JohnmjtJt1919)
Twitter: Kalvin Phillips is better than Declan Rice and that’s a fact! #KOSENG #lufc (@scottreeves88)
Twitter: Forget Declan Rice. Kalvin Phillips is twice the player of him. England’s Pirlo (@SirjeetSingh)
Twitter: The sooner Leeds get promoted, the sooner Kalvin Phillips can replace Declan rice in the England team
#KOSENG #LUFC #yorkshirepirlo (@chadclarke1990)
Read West Ham verdict
There’s no doubting Phillips’ ability, but to include him over Rice in the national squad would be a controversial move.
Southgate is fairly short on holding midfield options ahead of next summer’s European Championships, so Rice has every chance of making that position his own.
Phillips appears to be ready to make the step up to the Premier League, but until he does, Southgate may decide to stick with the Hammers man.
