Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has admitted England’s 1-0 defeat to Hungary on Saturday has been an eye opener for the whole squad. The Three Lions were poor in Budapest as they struggled to create anything going forward, in a stadium where they ran out 4-0 winners just nine months earlier.
Phillips picked up his 20th England cap in the defeat on Sunday, as he came off the bench in the final 10 minutes. It is just the second time that the 26-year-old has been involved in a defeat for his country in a regular 90-minute match.
Gareth Southgate opted to pair Declan Rice with Jude Bellingham against Hungary, but the latter struggled as part of a midfield two. Phillips has been Rice’s first choice midfield partner since his international debut in September 2020 – with the duo enjoying a great deal of success together in last summer’s EUROs.
