Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips must start for England at this summer’s European Championships, according to Danny Higginbotham.
Phillips started all three of England’s World Cup qualifiers during the recent international break, helping the Three Lions beat San Marino, Albania and Poland.
He has won just seven caps for England and only made his debut in September, but appears to be set for a place in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad this summer.
Some have questioned the need for two holding midfielders, with Phillips often starting alongside West Ham’s Declan Rice, but former Manchester United defender Higginbotham believes the Leeds man has more than earned his place.
“Because of the flying full-backs and the high press, he effectively does the job of two midfielders,” Higginbotham wrote for The Sun.
“Without him, Leeds have lost six of the eight Premier League games he has missed - conceding 15 goals. But from the nine clean sheets Leeds have managed this season, he has played in seven of them.
“And while his positioning is second to none, he is not just an out and out defensive midfielder - he is versatile. Phillips is capable of getting on the ball and picking out that forward pass, whether it is long or short.
“So I imagine when he plays for England, it is easier for him because he has Declan Rice alongside him. He has shown he is capable of imposing himself on a game further up midfield due to his superb range of passing.
“And that is something we definitely need against the top sides we may encounter in the knockout stages. From the six England games he has started, the team have only conceded two goals.
"So for me it is not the question of whether he starts, it is who starts alongside him - he is that good.”
Phillips was given the chance to start the last three England games due to Jordan Henderson’s injury and, against Poland, James Ward-Prowse’s late withdrawal.
He certainly took them, looking assured at the base of Southgate’s midfield, allowing more creative players room to flourish in attack.
The 25-year-old returned from international duty to play his part in Leeds’ 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Saturday.
