Fans of West Ham United and Leeds United have been known to be at each other’s throats in the past over their midfield aces Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips.
Even during a successful Euros, the rivalry between West Ham and Leeds supporters intensified over who is the better player.
Rice and Phillips have proved to be two of the best midfield players around for West Ham and Leeds.
Doubters, knockers and West Ham vs Leeds tribalism when Rice and Phillips turn out for England
West Ham and Leeds heroes Rice and Phillips were widely praised during England’s run to the Euro 2020 final.
But both still seem to have doubters or knockers everytime England play. And there is still an undertone of ‘ours is better than yours’ tribalism between Leeds and West Ham fans.
Both players were excellent again as England beat Hungary 4-0 last night with West Ham’s Rice scoring the Three Lions’s fourth goal.
And one Leeds fan surely put the rivalry to bed with what was one of the posts of the night on social media.
Penny drops as Leeds fan posts one of the Tweets of the night about duo
“Rice AND Phillips,” Leeds fans Oliver White posted on Twitter in response to England’s man of the match poll which is being led by Rice followed by Phillips.
“We (Leeds) and West Ham fans spent 12 months arguing over who is better.
“Turns out together they’re the best midfield in the world.”
Absolutely spot on. They may play in similar positions for West Ham and Leeds but Rice and Phillips have different attributes that make them a perfect fit alongside one another in England’s midfield.
And the pair get on really well off the pitch too.
Great relationship between Leeds and West Ham stars on and off the pitch so let’s embrace it
So much so West Ham’s midfield enforcer was chosen to surprise Phillips with his England player of the year award this week.
It was also evident after the game when the main men of West Ham and Leeds showed what a great relationship they have in posts on Twitter.
The Twitter post last night brought back memories of another great Tweet from the Euros.
The post from the summer highlighted how England’s 1966 World Cup success was built on the foundation of a partnership between West Ham and Elland Road greats Bobby Moore and Jack Charlton.
“55 years later a new partnership between Leeds and West Ham academy products is powering England,” the Tweet said.
That is the kind of energy that should surround the Rice and Phillips conversation. One of positivity.
In other news, ‘UEFA will fine him’ West Ham star Rice drinks the boos with brilliant England celebration.
And David Moyes has surely found game-changing solution to major West Ham problem.
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