West Ham striker Michail Antonio has offered insight into Kalvin Phillips’ recent struggles, attributing them to the challenges of returning to form after injury.
Having recently made his own comeback for West Ham after a period on the sidelines, Antonio can empathize with Phillips’ difficulties.
The 28-year-old midfielder, currently on loan at the London Stadium, has experienced a significant dip in form, leading to speculation that he will not be considered for Gareth Southgate’s upcoming England squad.
Hammers manager David Moyes may have erred in starting Phillips in the recent match against Bournemouth earlier this month, as it’s evident he is still far from reaching full match fitness.
Things took a turn for the worse for Kalvin last weekend when he was shown a red card during our game against Forest at the City Ground, resulting in his absence for our next fixture.
Antonio has shed light on how Phillips’ lack of recent game time is impacting his performance with West Ham…
And the 33-year-old believes he understands precisely why the 28-year-old is currently facing such difficulties:
“The guy hasn’t seen much game time for a year and a half, so it’s natural to expect some mistakes and rustiness as he tries to adjust to the pace of the Premier League.
These things are to be anticipated. It’s fortunate that these challenges are arising now rather than towards the end of the season, because if they occurred later, certain criticisms could be leveled against him as a player. But at present, he’s confronting these issues early, which is crucial for him to shake off any rust and showcase his true quality.”
Although Phillips has indeed been on the pitch over the past 18 months, Antonio likely refers to his limited starts, particularly with Manchester City.
Prior to his first starting appearance for the Hammers this month, he hadn’t been in the starting lineup for a Premier League game since May! Given this context, it’s understandable why he’s struggling to find his rhythm.
I believe Kalvin Phillips will bounce back sooner rather than later, and I’m also optimistic about Michail Antonio’s return to form!
