Carragher & Neville select England starting XI for EUROs, Leeds ace Phillips only in one

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has fully established himself in the England international squad this season.

After being called up before playing in the Premier League, the Yorkshire Pirlo has integrated himself into the starting XI under Gareth Southgate.

Phillips completed more minutes than any other outfield player over the recent international break, starting against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville selected their starting XIs for the opening EURO 2021 clash against Croatia.

Surprisingly, Phillips was only in one of those and that was Neville's.

Jamie Carragher went for a midfield three of Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson and Mason Mount, meaning that it would only be a place on the bench.

Neville put his faith in Phillips, dropping the Liverpool captain Henderson out of that three in the middle of the park.

No better chance.

We have loved Phillips in an England shirt, but it appears as though he still needs to prove himself to certain people up and down the country.

Having said that, he will have no better chance to start a major tournament for the Three Lions than this summer under Southgate.

Henderson and Rice are both currently out of action with long-term injuries, and that means the only holding midfielder with match action and fitness will be Phillips.

One thing that is guaranteed, forgetting about potential suspensions, is that the Yorkshire Pirlo will start every single game remaining in the Premier League season.

That will leave Phillips in perfect condition for England and the EUROs, and it is a surprise to see Carragher not take that into his consideration.

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