Fans have urged England manager Gareth Southgate to call upon Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips after John Stones' blunder against Poland.
An 85th minute winner from Harry Maguire, Stones’ central defensive partner spared his blushes as the Three Lions secured a 2-1 victory, but for a while it looked as though the error was going to cost the hosts two points at Wembley.
Manchester City player Stones gave possession away with a poor touch to allow Arkadiusz Milik to set up Jakub Moder to lash the ball past Nick Pope for a 58th minute equaliser after Harry Kane’s 19th minute penalty had fired England in front.
Stones has been questioned in the past for over-playing at the back and some supporters on Twitter reckon the national team would have been better off with the more no-nonsense approach of Anfield ace Phillips, who has impressed of late after stepping up from his understudy role during a defensive injury crisis at Liverpool.
Comments included:
Sean: “That was terrible by Stones, wouldn’t catch Nat Phillips doing that.”
Thiagot: “They tried telling me John Stones is better than Nat Phillips.”
Ryan O’Hanlon: “Time to call up Nat Phillips.”
Lewis: “Another reason why Nat Phillips should be on the plane for the euros.”
CrossingCZN: “Nat Phillips would never.”
Meanwhile, one fan went a step further.
Jack: “I actually think Nat Phillips starts ahead of Maguire for England. No idea why he hasn’t even been called up...”
