Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy has backed Kalvin Phillips moving to West Ham United on loan, and believes the London club are getting a great player despite his alarming lack of game time at Manchester City.
The 28-year-old is set to be announced as a new Hammers player very soon, having reportedly gone for his medical on Wednesday.
An agreement was reached between West Ham and City on Tuesday, with West Ham to take Phillips on loan until the end of the season. They are paying City a loan fee, covering his whole wages and will have the option to buy him in the summer.
It is thought he will cost in the region of £34 million.
For Phillips, it is a chance to get his career back on track after a severe lack of game time at the Etihad Stadium – and Danny Murphy believes it’s a great move for all parties…
Danny Murphy thinks Kalvin Phillips on loan to West Ham is a great deal
Murphy was speaking about Phillips today on talkSPORT.
The Hammers should be announcing the player either tonight or on Thursday following the medical, and it’s a great chance for the star to play regularly again, under a manager who has long admired him.
David Moyes is thought to be a driving force behind the move, so the player will be feeling optimistic.
Speaking about the move, Murphy said: “He’s a talented lad who needs a platform to play. He’s got an England squad to try and get into. I think this could be a good move for him.
“But when you look at the midfield West Ham have got, Alvarez has been sensational since he’s gone there. But he plays in the holding role. You’ve got Ward-Prowse and Soucek in there. Sometimes Paqueta plays in there. So there’s competition for places in there.
“My feeling is Moyes and the club wouldn’t go out on a limb and put the money to get him if they weren’t going to play him. I think he’ll take Soucek’s place. He’s a talent. Technically very good, calm, very good on set plays, spots danger and does his work, puts himself about.”
It’s a great move
Phillips to West Ham on loan with an option to buy suits all parties.
Phillips had to leave to go and play regularly, and he should so that at the London Stadium under Moyes, who’s a big fan of the player.
We saw what he did for Jesse Lingard, and Phillips will perhaps be hoping for a similar kind of renaissance.
As far as City are concerned, it’s wages temporarily off the books, and Phillips’ minutes don’t need replacing. The club are getting a loan fee, and a potential £34 million payment at the end of the season is really not bad considering how little he featured in sky blue.
