sport news The inside story of Kalvin Phillips' dramatic demise at West Ham - SAMI MOKBEL ... trends now
Perched outside the expansive futsal arena at St George's Park in August 2021, Kalvin Phillips held court.
Legs crossed and arms folded, the midfielder, rather uncomfortably, spoke of his pride at being named England's player of the season.
Spend time in Phillips' company and it becomes abundantly clear that public speaking isn't something that's natural to him. Not in a rude way. His shyness and humility is rather endearing.
Those charming qualities were accentuated that afternoon; almost as if he was embarrassed to accept the accolade, or that he was undeserving.
That couldn't be further from he truth; Phillips' swashbuckling performances alongside Declan Rice in the heart of England's midfield at the delayed Euro 2020 captivated the nation.
Three years ago, a shy and humble Kalvin Phillips was one of England's most important players
The star had shown himself to be the midfielder England had been craving and won the 2020-21 Player of the season
Now, he is enduring a nightmare spell at West Ham having joined the club to try and save his international career
If anyone was deserving of the honour then it was him; the midfielder English football had craved for so long.
Someone comfortable in orchestrating the tempo of a football match, capable of breaking the lines with such ferocious incision that opponents are left ragged and disorganised.
There's a reason he's called the Yorkshire Pirlo.
But you'd never know it, though. Polite and unassuming, Phillips is the guy you'd want as your son.
So, the sight of Phillips slinging the middle finger at a supporter in the face of vocal criticism as he boarded the West Ham team bus following Saturday's 4-3 loss at Newcastle, a game his side were leading 3-1 when he was introduced as a second half substitute, came as a shock.
Not because the gesture caused great offence - but that it was Phillips making it.
'Completely out of character,' said one source on Monday.
The straw the broke the camels back. There's only so many setbacks a person can take - even someone as laidback as Phillips.
This was supposed to be a two year period that consolidated Phillips' standing as one of European football's elite central midfielders.
Instead it's been a stretch that's left him broken. He snapped on Saturday.
Injury and fitness issues dogged his dream move from Leeds to Manchester City in the summer of 2022. He made two Premier League starts in 18 months after joining for £45million, although he did end the season with three winners medals.
Pep Guardiola had been vocal about his concerns with Phillips, an issue that came to a head after World Cup 2022 when the City boss accused him of being overweight following a 10 day rest period he'd allowed his players after the tournament.
But even at the height of his problems at City, Phillips always knew he had the safety blanket of England.
Polite and unassuming, news of Phillips sticking his middle finger up at West Ham fans came as a shock
There are only so many setbacks a person can take - even someone as laidback as Phillips
After moving to Manchester City for £45million, Pep Guardiola (right) had been vocal of his concerns
Phillips however always had the safety blanket of England, until he lost his place in the last international break
Gareth Southgate continued to pick Phillips despite his lack of minutes; his reasoning being that playing regularly ahead of Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and more recently Mateo Kovacic would be a monumental feat.
But now even Southgate, who is immensely loyal, cannot justify Phillips' international inclusion - the England boss dropping the midfielder for the recent games against Brazil and Belgium.
It was hoped Phillips' loan move to West Ham would - at the very least - ensure his place in the squad for Euro
