Newcastle’s decision to sign Sandro Tonali has badly damaged their season. Their decision not to sign another midfielder, Kalvin Phillips, may have saved it.
Both players continue to make headlines. One for gambling on football, the other for gambling on a career resurrection at West Ham. Neither are on to a good thing.
Where they differ is that the more Tonali is absent, the better a player he apparently becomes. For Phillips, the more he plays, the worse it gets.
When Newcastle lost their £52million marquee summer signing to a 10-month betting ban in October, they looked to the Manchester City outcast to fill the hole come January.
Eddie Howe had too many doubts and, despite the clubs discussing a loan fee, they did not pursue the deal. Phillips, you suspect, would not so much have filled the hole as fallen into it, so disastrous has his subsequent move to West Ham been.
Saturday was the latest sorry episode. When he came on with 21 minutes to play, West Ham were leading 3-1. David Moyes wanted to add an experienced head and fresh legs to his team’s resistance. Except Phillips is not as experienced as you’d think for a 28-year-old England international.
Before joining West Ham, he had made less than 50 Premier League starts. As for fresh legs, there was a fear at Newcastle they had gone stale at City. Indeed, what has emerged is a shadow of the player who starred for his country at Euro 2020.
Never was that more evident than here. In the 77th minute he conceded a penalty from which Alexander Isak made it 3-2. In the 83rd minute he was missing in midfield when Isak sent Harvey Barnes clear for 3-3. And in the 90th minute, Phillips failed to tackle Barnes on the edge of the area and the Toon man slammed into the bottom corner to complete a stunning comeback win.
As he boarded the team bus, Phillips was called ‘useless’ by a fan and he — understandably — responded by flipping the bird. He is, though, starting to feel like an albatross for West Ham. As one fan posted on X in the 69th minute: ‘Oh no, Phillips is coming on. 4-3 Newcastle incoming’.
Moyes should have continued to embrace the chaos of the contest and pushed for a fourth goal. In trying to control the game, he lost control. He handed the initiative to Newcastle and their home crowd and, in attempting to shut up shop, the West Ham boss invited Newcastle’s late raid.
LekiaFelixTobaya
0
consequences of British hype
minacimsty
1
i swear this guy is finished 😀😄
mopaekmouy
0
West Ham have not win with him on the pitch
Pahlmnry
0
He will end up like Lingard
dudbeilsy
2
the boy has just lost confidence.he is a decent player.
Vezbklmnru
2
Well according to rival fans Pep spoiled his career, meaning he should be playing him, even thou he his bad or drop Rodri for him, but let me correct you all, u only get playing time when you keep improving, once upon a time foden was not having a player time, but he has to fight his way to the first Eleven. and the truth is westham loan deal has confirmed what Pep was saying all along.
Vezbklmnru
0
Phillips made a mistake by joining Man City when they had lots of people in his position...... He just needs to bring his head down and put himself together. Even the great Kai Havertz was once upon a time look upon as a finished player, but the narrative is now different. Just hope Arsenal goes for Phillips, I know his potential.
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I mistakenly like ur comment, but let's move on Philip is not too good of a player he was just riding on hype nothing more nothing less.
Wumdeklosz
0
one mistake shouldn't define a player. give him sometime
once upon a time, Philip was a promising midfielder before Manchester City bought him,but due to lack of play time @man city and began to drop.all he needs now is love and encouragement. he Shall rise again.
Nizwest
0
one mistake shouldn't define a player. give him sometime
one mistake? he has made mistakes in all the westham games
Lenceiopu
1
The truth is that he got his decision wrong when he moved to city, Rodri is undropable right now and Philips plays the same position. Unfortunately even kids like Rico Lewis have shown more composure as understudy to Rodri than Philips. He should have moved to a club where he would get a playing chance not warming the bench. When you're 28 you're in your prime years so being loaned out at that age is a sign that you are below standard
truthisbitter
0
When PEP and Mourinho let go a player, if that player gonna prosper, he will prosper for real....if not...he will just be a dead dog in the street......(like a die dog na treet)...
Never mention Mourinho in the same sentence with Pep, Mourinho is a dead coach!
Boucdmnoz
0
one mistake shouldn't define a player. give him sometime
Mate he’s 28
Boucdmnoz
0
Phillips made a mistake by joining Man City when they had lots of people in his position...... He just needs to bring his head down and put himself together. Even the great Kai Havertz was once upon a time look upon as a finished player, but the narrative is now different. Just hope Arsenal goes for Phillips, I know his potential.
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Phillips joined City as a Englishman understudy to Rodri. There ain’t many playing CDM at City, just that there are others who aren’t CDM by nature play better than him 🤭
colepalmar
0
KalangbaSaccoya2007
2
When PEP and Mourinho let go a player, if that player gonna prosper, he will prosper for real....if not...he will just be a dead dog in the street......(like a die dog na treet)...
malablata
2
Phillips made a mistake by joining Man City when they had lots of people in his position...... He just needs to bring his head down and put himself together. Even the great Kai Havertz was once upon a time look upon as a finished player, but the narrative is now different. Just hope Arsenal goes for Phillips, I know his potential.
fazbekmrt
0
he should be playing for a second division team. substandard
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
2
Phillips is affected psychologically
lawalidris
0
Speechless 🙊
Wumdeklosz
1
one mistake shouldn't define a player. give him sometime
Mabinpsz
2
Phillip is totally getting worse everyday. let's assume he his man Utd player you guys would have been ranting abt spoiling his career