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Adrian Durham salutes 'Insane' Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips after England v Denmark
Adrian Durham was effusive in his praise for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips on Thursday, despite calling for his England exclusion two days prior.
The talkSPORT host made a shock suggestion on Tuesday afternoon [06/07/21] when he told the ‘Drive’ programme that he would drop Phillips for England’s semi-final versus Denmark.
“I’m dropping Kalvin Phillips,” he said. “[Mason] Mount has earned that right, he played so well, he’s so disciplined tactically, that it is impossible to ignore him.”
However, he appeared to back down from his original selection after the Three Lions beat their visitors 2-1.
After a Leeds fan told him that it was “lucky” he didn’t pick the team, Durham replied on his personal Twitter profile: “Agreed. Phillips was on another planet. Insane performance.”
Proving the critics wrong, again
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It was a pretty farcical statement to come out with in the first place, and no wonder Leeds fans came out in their droves to condemn his words, such as our panel of MOT Leeds News Super Fans.
Phillips has forged a sensational midfield partnership Declan Rice this summer, a duo that has helped to drive England into their first major tournament final since 1966.
Not only did Durham want Phillips axed, but he wanted him to be replaced by Mount, an attacking midfielder.
It would be one thing calling for Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson to be selected, a deep-lying player famed for his leadership skills and big-game experience, but asking for Mount to be named in a midfield two was mind-boggling.
As it was, Phillips deservedly kept his place for the Wembley showdown, and despite a nervy first-half showing, he surely showed any lingering detractors out there that he is in the team to stay now.
In other Leeds United news, this Whites star has been mooted for a major £70million move by a talkSPORT host.