Michael Owen has claimed that Jude Bellingham could take the place of Kalvin Phillips in the England team ahead of the 2022 World Cup. The young Borussia Dortmund midfielder was selected ahead of the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ for the first of the Three Lions’ four June Nations League fixtures against Hungary.
Phillips played in each of England’s games at Euro 2020 and was awarded his country’s Player of the Year for the part he played in his first major tournament. However, his long-term injury lay-off earlier this season may well have affected his chances of retaining a starting place in Qatar.
Gareth Southgate has often been criticised for playing a defensive midfield pairing featuring both the Leeds United man and Declan Rice in front of the defence. Owen believes he may wish to use Bellingham going forward to provide more attacking impetus.
