'How on EARTH can England play Kalvin Phillips in a major tournament?'
Playing Kalvin Phillips for England at a major tournament would be a 'risk' after his lack of game time, argues Chris Sutton in the latest episode of It's All Kicking Off.
Sutton and Ian Ladyman were challenged to present their starting XIs for the 2024 European Championships.
Among the flashpoints was Ladyman's decision to include Phillips despite the fact he has played just 16 Premier League games for Manchester City since joining in July 2022.
The two debated how cautious the midfield selection should be and whether John Stones and Trent Alexander-Arnold should slot in, as well as disagreeing over including Harry Maguire's inclusion.
Ladyman opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Declan Rice and Phillips as holding midfielders while Sutton went for a 4-3-3, releasing Jude Bellingham and James Maddison.
Sutton said: 'I do not, in any way, shape or form, understand this continued argument for Kalvin Phillips.
'Nothing against Calvin Phillips, but how on earth can England go into a major tournament and play somebody who is very unlikely to play for Manchester City, or certainly will not play regular football?
'England will want to go into a tournament and win a tournament with a guy who hasn't kicked a ball in the best part of two seasons. That is a risk too big to take for Gareth.
Ladyman argued that Gareth Southgate has stuck by the former Leeds man consistently, but Sutton felt he might pay the price for loyalty.
He added: 'He still hasn't won a major tournament. So is that the tweak which he needs to make? So loyalty is a great strength, Ian, but loyalty can also be a great weakness.'
Mail Sport's Football Editor Ladyman believes that England need two holding midfielders to accommodate their attacking players while retaining
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