Michail Antonio has reacted to West Ham United closing in on the signing of Kalvin Phillips on loan.
It was revealed by Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday that the Englishman’s loan move to the Hammers would be made official on Thursday.
A claim was also made that David Moyes has been interested in signing the 28-year-old ever since he was out of work from the period of May 2018 to December 2019.
Michail Antonio reacts to Kalvin Phillips heading to West Ham on loan
It seems like Kalvin Phillips was destined to fail at Manchester City from the start. After all, it was reported that coaches at the club internally felt Romeo Lavia, who had left City to join Southampton in the same summer the 28-year-old signed for Pep Guardiola’s side was better suited to the defensive midfield role in the side.
And that too, after Phillips’ first few training sessions at the Etihad Stadium.
As Kalvin Phillips looks set to sign for West Ham on loan, Michail Antonio reacted to the imminent move on The Footballer’s Football Podcast.
“Kalvin Phillips has just joined [West Ham], yeah? Alright, Kal! Welcome, mate! Welcome! I didn’t know but you know what, quality player, good player to be in our midfield. I’ve not kept my eye on this one at all but you know what, I love it! Love it”, he said.
Michail Antonio continued to explain why signing Kalvin Phillips on loan was a smart piece of business from West Ham.
“Obviously, he’s worked with Dec [Declan Rice], you see him play with England, you see the quality that he had and stuff like that so I think it’s a great addition and I think he’ll help us stay in the position, maybe climb the league this season.”
Callum Wilson asked, “Hang on a minute, all jokes aside, you actually didn’t know he had joined your club?”
Michail Antonio gave an insight into how he reacted when he heard Kalvin Phillips was set to sign for West Ham on loan.
“No, I didn’t know. I was actually in the training ground today while the boys were off. I was in the training ground. I didn’t know. I’ve not, to be fair, I’ve not today actually been on my phone.”
“He [the press officer at West Ham] normally sends out a text. So, I’ve gone through my phone right now and I was like, ‘What on earth is going on?’ I’m on the West Ham group [chat] right now and the last message I got was, ‘Blood tests tomorrow at the training ground. Don’t have no breakfast.’ There is actually no text being sent out. So, like, I’m actually shocked!’
Proof that Kalvin Phillips remains respected within the game
Despite how poorly Kalvin Phillips’ spell at Manchester City has gone, the fact that Michail Antonio is over the moon about working with him at West Ham is a testament to how much respect he continues to command within the game.
At the end of the day, certain transfers tend not to work out for the better but that does not necessarily mean a player has lost all his quality overnight.
Before signing for City, Kalvin Phillips was one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the Premier League and a regular starter for England, which Michail Antonio has appreciated himself.
As a result, while those speaking from outside the world may have written Phillips off, top professionals are aware of the quality he possesses.
