Kalvin Phillips has hailed Gareth Southgate’s right-hand man as key to England’s success at major tournaments.
The man who puts the players through their training ground paces and has a huge influence on team selection is Steve Holland, who has been a confidante and assistant to Southgate for the best part of a decade. And Phillips reckons it is Holland who will keep the players’ feet on the ground after they scored nine goals and finished top of Group B.
The Manchester City midfielder, who made his first World Cup finals appearance when coming on during the second half of the win over Wales, said: “It's hard sometimes but we have a good group, good coaching staff, good managers who will always keep us grounded - especially Steve Holland.
“We won't get too high about it, we'll be happy about the result but we're just going to rest up and focus on the next one.”
Phillips, 26, has yet to start a game for club or country this season after undergoing an operation on his troublesome shoulder and admits it will be a venture into the unknown when he does.
When asked if he is ready to start, he said: “I don't know, I've not started one yet, I'd have to tell you after that but I feel good.
“I’ve trained for a long time now after my surgery so I obviously don't know when I'm going to start but I'm just ready to get on the pitch.”
Phillips, who was mainstay of Southgate’s Euro 2020 team, also knows that Jude Bellingham now provides a formidable obstacle to his return to the starting line-up.
He said: “100 percent! I knew a few years ago that Jude would be a major part of this England team, with the way he's performed not just for England but for Dortmund.
“He's an amazing talent, he's one of those kids that doesn't say too much but just goes out on the training pitch and is only going to become a better and better player.”
