#PLStories- #DavidMoyes reveals his long-standing #KalvinPhillips admiration ahead of #DeclanRice face-off #WHUFC
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David Moyes
West Ham United manager David Moyes has spoken about his admiration of Kalvin Phillips ahead of their trip to Leeds United on Saturday afternoon. The Whites are searching for their first Premier League win of the season but face a tricky test against Moyes’ side, who did the double over them last term. During the 2020/21 campaign, the Hammers secured a 2-1 victory at Elland Road before running out 2-0 winners in the reverse fixture back in March. Despite losing both matches, someone from the Leeds side who impressed Moyes was Phillips and the Hammers boss praised him in his pre-match press conference.
David Moyes said: “I’m a big admirer of Kalvin Phillips and have been for a long time. Every time I went to watch Leeds, and when I was out of work and they won the Championship, I was always thinking he looked a really influential player and a real prospect. I think he has stepped up really quickly, I think he got into the England squad when maybe other people were suggested in front of him but I think he’s done well.”
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a successful year since being called up to the England squad and helped his country to the Euro 2020 final in the summer alongside West Ham’s Declan Rice. Despite receiving some criticism before the tournament, the duo formed a superb midfield-pivot which helped the Three Lions become the meanest defence after conceding just two goals in seven matches. Rice and Phillips are now set to go up against each other for the first time since the European Championships and it’s a battle Moyes is looking forward to watching.
David Moyes said: “The partnership with Declan and Kalvin Phillips has been really good. They are both incredibly energetic, they are both improving players. Kalvin is 25, Declan’s 22, I think you’ve got to say they are young midfield players and they have lots of room to get better because of their age. I’m sure as they mature and understand it better they will. I’m not sure if it’s a direct battle between them with the way the teams match up but getting England players playing against each other there’s always an attraction. They play in similar roles so that makes it attractive, seeing two young English players against each other on the same pitch.”
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