Fall guy Phillips is the wrong man at the wrong time
I have a level of sympathy for Kalvin Phillips, but I also have to hold my hands up and admit that I got it wrong.
I was excited about the prospect of West Ham signing the England international during the January transfer window. Of course, I wanted the signing supplemented with a much-needed striker and a left-winger, but to me, signing a central midfielder made sense.
My memories of Phillips as a player had been formed under Bielsa’s Leeds team, where he carried the moniker ‘The Yorkshire Pirlo’. I had also seen him perform well in the heart of England’s midfield, so I incorrectly assumed we were signing the same player.
Unfortunately, what I had not accounted for was his 18 months of inactivity at Manchester City, which have clearly set the player back. West Ham appears to have signed a player lacking not only fitness but also confidence. And I’m sorry to say that he’s going backward judging by yesterday’s performance.
Fall guy Phillips is struggling at West Ham
It was clear from the outset that Phillips was petrified of making a mistake. This is completely understandable given his error-ridden start to his Hammers career. However, he is playing so meekly and conservatively that he’s the shadow of the player he used to be.
Phillips set for struggle
I’m quite certain there is a good player in there still, but Phillips needs to be at a club where he can rebuild his confidence. That will not happen in a West Ham midfield where possession and momentum are surrendered as part of the tactics. It doesn’t matter whether the Hammers are playing Burnley, Bristol City, or Real Madrid; the tactics stay the same.
For that reason, I believe Phillips will struggle. As could be witnessed by Burnley’s opening goal, the former Leeds man was petrified of making a challenge. I can understand why given his previous red card and individual errors, but he is a defensive midfielder after all.
Maybe he’ll turn it around at West Ham, but it will be a tough task this season. It is regrettable, but at the moment, the club’s decision not to haggle for an option/obligation to buy looks very wise indeed.