Danny Murphy thinks Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher should be named in the England squad for the World Cup over Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips.
England boss Gareth Southgate will name his final 26-man squad this week that will travel to Qatar for the World Cup, with so many important decisions to make.
In particular, supporters are intrigued to see the list of midfielders that are included.
Conor Gallagher over Kalvin Phillips
TalkSPORT pundit Murphy has made the fairly big claim that he would rather pick Gallagher over Phillips in the England squad, with the latter starved of football in recent months because of his shoulder problem.
“I’ve not put Phillips in; I don’t see how you can… Gallagher I’d take ahead of Phillips. Legs, passion, get you a goal, and he’s playing,” Murphy told talkSPORT.
Phillips, 26, was a key central midfielder for England at the Euros, becoming a massive favourite under Southgate.
However, he’s made just three appearances all season since his £45million transfer from Leeds United to Manchester City.
As for Gallagher, he’s played 16 first-team games so far this campaign for Chelsea.
The 22-year-old was left out of the most recent Three Lions squad, but has his form at Stamford Bridge done enough to earn him a senior England recall on the eve of the World Cup?
If fully fit, not many would complain about Phillips being included in the England squad. There’s a lot to worry about when it comes to his availability, though.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed this week that Phillips is in the squad to face Chelsea on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup.
Gallagher could give England a different kind of option with his engine as a box-to-box midfielder, so having him as a substitute late in games would be a great weapon up your sleeve.
Sam Allardyce recently said he would take Chelsea’s academy graduate to the World Cup.
It’ll be interesting to see if both can sneak into Southgate’s final group.
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