Kalvin Phillips reaction
The footballing world has reacted to Kalvin Phillips' excellent midfield display in England's 1-0 win over Croatia at Euro 2020.
The Three Lions entertained a quarter-full Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon, spurred on by a dynamic and energetic Kalvin Phillips performance.
Leeds' No. 23 took the No. 14 shirt for international duty and turned in a magnificent box-to-box showing.
As a result, footballers from around the world have been giving their verdicts on Phillips' imperious performance, in which he registered the game's only assist - a lovely slid through-ball for Raheem Sterling.
World Cup finalist Nigel de Jong tweeted: "Sterling at the end of that goal, but can we talk about the performance of Kalvin Phillips so far? Absolute beast on that midfield. Breaking plays up and linking between the lines. Baller."
Meanwhile, former Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil said: "What a player Kalvin Phillips… hope to see also the magician Grealish soon on the pitch."
Gareth Southgate gives his Phillips verdict
England manager Gareth Southgate can feel vindicated for fielding Phillips in a more advanced role than he is typically used in after the Leeds United man's excellent Croatia outing.
Immediately following England's 1-0 win, the national team boss said: "Kalvin is a player who is so understated. He's had a fantastic start to his international career. I thought he was immense throughout the game."
It serves as an enormous vote of confidence for the Leeds midfielder, to receive praise of this calibre from his international manager.
Now, the question will be posed to Jordan Henderson to see if he can regain his place in the England side, over Phillips and West Ham United's Declan Rice.
Hartson makes Alioski prediction
Former Arsenal striker, turned co-commentator on ITV Sport's Euro 2020 coverage, John Hartson has issued a prediction for Ezgjan Alioski's future.
Speaking in the opening stages of North Macedonia's European Championships' opener with Austria, Hartson endorsed the 29-year-old full-back as one of the leading lights of his country's football team.
"They won't be short of offers for Alioski, Leeds," Hartson said, referring to the left-back's contract situation at Elland Road.
This immediately preceded an instance where Austria got in behind the Leeds man to score the opening goal, before veteran Goran Pandev equalised due to a defensive mix-up.
