Kalvin Phillips – Jinxed, Just Lazy or Jury’s Out?
With the news that Kalvin Phillips had not travelled to Leverkusen, and David Moyes’s somewhat vague comment about the player “picking up a niggle in training/not sure what the issue is” in his pre-match presser, it’s time to (re)consider what is actually going on.
I have been in the jinxed camp until now, and have felt a lot of sympathy for him during a torrid start to his loan spell – suicidal back-pass, penalty conceded, red card in just a few games – I mean, how unlucky can a player be?!
What has really changed my mind (apart from Moyes’s weary reaction to the injury news) is the reflection on his time with Man City. Pep Guardiola obviously saw very quickly that the player was not good/fit/motivated enough to make any meaningful contribution. It seems he couldn’t get him out the door quickly enough and hopes not to see him again.
You have to question Phillips’s commitment and self-motivation. He may still be a talented player but he has failed to make any positive mark at either City or West Ham. Many of us hoped that he would be really driving hard to resurrect his career and even get into the England squad for the Euros. I haven’t seen any evidence of this determination from him. He seems to be unfit and lacking the drive to change his circumstances.
Kalvin Phillips shocking transfer means he has no Hammers future
Too much too young?
My gut feeling is he may be one of those players who hit the financial jackpot with his move to City and can no longer find any motivation. A real shame but we’ve seen this from so many players.
Guardiola’s disinterest in the player and Moyes seeming to be coming to the conclusion that he’s not going to make an impact with us suggest strongly that he just isn’t made of the right stuff.
I expect Leeds will buy him back for a cut-price fee out of blind loyalty in the hope he can get back to somewhere near his best – and they will be making a mistake too.
No more sympathy from me I’m afraid…
Guest post by Ruislip Hammer
If you’d like to post on Claret & Hugh please email claretandhugh66@gmail.com
Jesse Lingard comes to mind, albeit we had a brilliant few months from him before he imploded
Jinxed and lazy. Our club gave him the perfect opportunity to re-ignite his career. Just like Lingard. Good post by Ruislip Hammer, following another from Mr Buddy Lurve the other day. These ‘guest posts’ are an excellent idea – thanks C&H.
Thanks buddy. Appreciate it. 🙂