Adrian Durham of talkSPORT is famous for his controversial opinions and he’s delivered another ahead of England’s semi-final against Denmark.
Despite the brilliant form of Kalvin Phillips at the heart of midfield, Durham claimed on talkSPORT that he should be dropped ahead of the semi-final.
Phillips has been brilliant all tournament. He was the best player on the pitch against Croatia in the opening game and he and Declan Rice have been the brilliant base from which England have built in the knockouts thus far, yet Durham believes Phillips should be dropped from the starting XI ahead of tonight’s semi-final.
Durham believes that playing Mason Mount deeper will offer England more than the pairing of Phillips and Rice in this one. He said: “I’m dropping Kalvin Phillips. Mount and Rice are your two in central midfield in your 3-4-3.
“Mount I think has earned that right. He’s played so well and disciplined tactically that it’s impossible to ignore him.”
He went onto insist he rates the Leeds man and believes that he may start the final should England get there but he stood by his decision to drop the Yorkshire Pirlo: “I’m a massive Kalvin Phillips fan and he’s done nothing wrong, but that’s the point. It’s a squad game.
“I know Leeds fans will be listening and saying ‘you can’t drop Kalvin Phillips’, it’s not about dropping them and effectively you are, but it’s a squad game.
“He might come back for the final if England make it. Mount has that tactical discipline to play in that midfield with Rice, he’s so flexible and he’s too good to leave out. That’s what I would go for.”
