Disagree about Phillips I think he was signed as back up and that’s it. Said at the time there’s not a chance he’s getting into their Xl ahead of Rodri.
Phillips and Rice have never really “dominated games” for England other than against poor opposition. Playing the 2 of them together is our Achilles heel. Remember the euros final against Italy? They got absolutely dismantled.
You don’t need Phillips on the pitch whilst Rice is there, you’d never see City line up with Rodri and Phillips in the same team.
Southgate hasn’t got the bollocks to play 2 creative midfielders with rice and continually leaves our better players out, with a better manager that squad would’ve won something. All this nonsense about creating a good bond within the team is great but being mates with players from rival clubs doesn’t win trophies.
Pep even prefers to play Stones in the holding midfielder role now infront of Phillips alongside Rodri. Says it all.
He was a strange signing for them really and he let his head over rule his heart. He should never have made such a big step up so soon
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