It’s hard not to feel sorry for him but Kalvin Phillips is West Ham’s new Roberto and he’s only got himself to blame.
Earlier this week we reported that Kalvin Phillips had hit a new low ahead of his big chance at West Ham redemption.
But we were wrong because things somehow got even worse in West Ham’s 4-3 defeat at Newcastle.
The on loan Man City outcast has endured a torrid spell with the Hammers.
And ahead of Newcastle he was officially named as the lowest ranked midfielder in the entire Premier League.
Phillips was left on the bench despite David Moyes being without key midfielder Edson Alvarez.
West Ham were 3-1 up and looking on course for a vital three points in the race for a European place.
Enter Phillips on 70 minutes.
Phillips hits all-time low as dismal West Ham spell continues
Slow, immobile and seemingly completely demotivated and understandably lacking any confidence, Phillips instantly weakened the Hammers.
Newcastle players were drifting past him and he was walking around the pitch at St James’ Park at times.
The penalty decision against him may be harsh. But his poor touch prior and his lack of awareness about players around him created the situation in the first place.
For Newcastle’s late winning goal, Phillips’ efforts to close down Harvey Barnes were unacceptably bad too.
He was not the only one to blame for the meek surrender.
But Phillips is West Ham’s new Roberto and he’s only got himself to blame.
West Ham have their new Roberto
Manuel Pellegrini signing Roberto is regarded among the worst signings in West Ham’s history.
Now Phillips is taking that unwelcome mantle.
It’s unavoidable given the string of disastrous performances and how much it is costing West Ham.
Phillips twice gave the ball away leading to goals against West Ham in his first couple of appearances.
That arguably cost West Ham two points in a draw with Bournemouth. And it put paid to any hopes of getting back into a defeat at Man United.
The £50m midfielder was then sent off in West Ham’s defeat at Forest – arguably costing West Ham the chance at salvaging a point.
That caused him to miss West Ham’s game against Brentford. And to rub salt in the wound that ended up being the club’s first win of 2024.
Phillips was benched for subsequent games until getting another opportunity against Burnley.
A timeline of the worst loan in Hammers history
But he – along with most of his teammates – put in a shocking first half performance as the Hammers trailed 2-0 at half-time to the league’s whipping boys.
The loan midfielder was then hauled off at the break and West Ham went on to get things back to 2-2 without him. But they could and should have won the game.
On a personal level Phillips has lost his England place. And it would take one of the turnarounds of all-time for him to get a place in the Euros squad in West Ham’s remaining eight games.
The unsavoury incident after the game and swearing at a West Ham fan will divide opinion.
Some will feel it is disgraceful regardless of the circumstances. But if anything it just sums up where his head is at.
Midfielder only has himself to blame
Phillips only has himself to blame for this.
He was never going to get in Man City’s team when he chased the coin by going there. He would have known that and so would his agents.
Look at the players City have in that position for goodness sake.
So it’s no surprise he spent 18 months not playing any football. Phillips cannot then expect to be able to just slip back into competing at the top level like turning on a tap.
Players need to appreciate when they’re on to a good thing
It should serve as a lesson to other players chasing the gold and the glory.
Sometimes you are better off staying where you are than soiling your career when you should be at your peak.
Phillips is so far off the pace it is scary. And he won’t be able to rediscover match fitness and form in the time that remains during his crucial run-in.
As a result – like Roberto before him – Phillips must be nowhere near the West Ham team from here on in.
It really is as simple and unfortunate as that.
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