{"id":1208016,"date":"2021-06-13T16:04:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-13T15:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1208016"},"modified":"2021-06-13T16:40:51","modified_gmt":"2021-06-13T15:40:51","slug":"england-1-0-croatia-news-best-player-kalvin-phillips","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/england-1-0-croatia-news-best-player-kalvin-phillips\/","title":{"rendered":"“There’s an art to his game” – England’s ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ Kalvin Phillips excels in advanced role vs Croatia"},"content":{"rendered":"

England got their Euro 2020 group-stage campaign off to a flyer, beating Croatia 1-0 at Wembley, and there was an unexpected star man on the day: Kalvin Phillips.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As news filtered through of Gareth Southgate\u2019s team selection just over an hour before kick-off, there was a collective roll of the eyes from England fans as Kieran Trippier started at left-back, Jadon Sancho failed to make the matchday squad, and two \u2018defensive midfielders\u2019 were selected ahead of Jack Grealish.<\/p>\n\n

However, what appeared a bizarre, perhaps even overly-cautious tactical approach from Southgate before a ball was kicked, proved a masterclass, as he found the right balance, nullified Croatia\u2019s world-class midfield and bravely turned his back on Marcelo Bielsa, deploying Phillips, not as a metronomic tempo-setter (as he has developed under the enigmatic Argentine at Leeds) but instead, as an advanced playmaker.<\/p>\n

In tandem with Mason Mount, the duo were England\u2019s creative release valves, given carte blanche to progress up the turf safe in the mind that Declan Rice was stationed at the base sweeping up any loose balls, protecting the backline and recycling possession.<\/p>\n

Phillips, playing almost as a mezzala<\/em> in the subterranean heat, took to his first international tournament like a duck to water, coping with the arid air, energising England\u2019s midfield and exploiting the half space with the grace and creative verve of a veteran playmaker.<\/p>\n

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As a player aptly bestowed the moniker the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ at Elland Road, given his effortless ability to dictate the pace and rhythmically distribute, this was a role unfamiliar to the 25-year-old but one he relished and completely bossed.<\/p>\n

Such was his performance in the capital that BBC pundit and former England international Jermaine Jenas mentioned during his commentary that the Leeds enforcer has already gone from possible starter, to an absolute starter going forward.<\/p>\n

“He’s been brilliant. Gone from a maybe starter, to a must starter,” Jenas commented on during the game.<\/p>\n

“He was brilliant at breaking up play. This is what international football is all about, not allowing opposition teams to get into their rhythm, and Phillips breaks up play in a cute way.<\/p>\n

“There’s an art to it. The coolness of him is what I love.”<\/p>\n

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\u25c9 Passing like Pirlo
\u25c9 Tackling like Gattuso
\u25c9 Dribbling like Kak\u00e0<\/p>\n

Kalvin Phillips is not the Yorkshire Pirlo, he's the entire Milan midfield. ? pic.twitter.com\/gYVwPJ6Fi1<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka Bet (@SquawkaBet) June 13, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n