Kalvin Phillips is more than just a square-passing holding midfielder when it comes to fitting him into England’s puzzle.
That is the view of former Three Lions boss Glenn Hoddle. The 63-year-old was speaking to Sunday Mirror about the national squad going into Euro 2020.
Phillips currently finds himself at the heart of a debate surrounding that midfield three Gareth Southgate is expected to select.
Declan Rice is commonly perceived as a certainty to start while Jordan Henderson’s long-standing injury issue has raised questions about his case for inclusion.
Some of those who have not watched much of Leeds United can make the mistake of prejudging Phillips as a limited defensive midfielder.
Hoddle called for that assumption to be scrapped and backed Phillips’s ability as a progressive passer.
"I'd play Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice. Don't pigeonhole Phillips as a holder, he's better than that. He can pass the ball, he can release people. He's shown that with Leeds,” he said.
"These lovely little number 10s we've got, it's all very well highlighting them, but they need the ball. People say, 'Oh, so-and-so wasn't in the game', but they need the ball.
"Phillips is not always looking square, nor is Rice. They do more than just pass the ball square.”
England’s tournament begins on June 13 against Croatia before facing Scotland on June 18 and then Czech Republic on June 22 to round out the tournament.
