Some Leeds United fans have flocked to a tweet that was recently posted by TalkSport which shares some footage of Jermaine Pennant discussing Kalvin Phillips’ inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad.
Despite having never played in England’s top flight, Phillips was included in the latest England squad.
This comes after Phillips enjoyed a positive 2019/20 campaign in which he helped Leeds United to win the Championship, playing in 37 of their 46 Championship games and earning an overall WhoScored rating of 7.22/10 in the league, making him the Whites’ joint-second-highest-rated player for last term.
Coming off the back of that impressive season, it may be understandable why Phillips has received an England call-up, however, in the clip that TalkSport recently shared on Twitter, Pennant was critical of Phillips’ inclusion.
He said: “There’s a big difference between Championship and Premier League, and then there’s a difference between Premier League and international.”
The former Leeds loanee went on to say: “He shouldn’t be in there.”
A lot of Whites supporters subsequently replied to this post to share their thoughts on Pennant’s comments, with many slating Pennant for his view on Phillips’ inclusion in the England squad.
? “I’m taking out Kalvin Phillips [from my England squad].”
? “You can’t pick someone based on a season in the Championship.”
Jermaine Pennant insists #LUFC’s Kalvin Phillips did not deserve to be called up to the England squad ???????
Do you agree with this? ? pic.twitter.com/8vP5guVJ7W
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) August 31, 2020
Do your research Jermaine. Southgate has said he’s been watching Phillips for over two years – he hasn’t just picked him on one season. Must see some premier league qualities in him or he wouldn’t have been called up ?????
— Simon (@thehitman1977) August 31, 2020
It’s not based on one season. He’s been top notch for last two. Apart from Declan Rice there’s no other player better than him in that DCM role. I’m sorry but you are talking nonsense.
— Owain Rees (@OwainRees1) August 31, 2020
2 clown’s
— Mark (@Mark1461) August 31, 2020
Who said what, now? There are other leagues in England, not just the Premier League. He doesn’t want Phillips in because he plays for Leeds!!
— Lufc1919 (@CarlRichard70) August 31, 2020
Does Jermaine Pennant have a point?
YES
NO
Jermaine Pennant was part of the team that got us relegated in the first place so please forgive me whilst I ignore every word he says. Anyone who doesn’t think @Kalvinphillips deserves an England callup hasn’t seen enough of him these past two seasons.
— Wayne Poppleton ?LUFC??DDPY? (@WayneWTP) September 1, 2020
If you cant see how good he is in the role he plays you should find another job more suited to your talents !!
— Jay Suscenko (on loan to Monchengladbach ) (@JaySuscenko) August 31, 2020
Two absolute nobody’s trying to talk about football ? have a day off lads ?????
— Lee Thomas ?? ? (@17Elroy) August 31, 2020
Southgate is England manager for a reason.
Pennant is a third rate pundit for a reason.— LUFC Making The Premier League Great Again (@leedswhiterose) August 31, 2020
Clueless! What a joke of an opinion.
— David Pryde (@prydey8) August 31, 2020
Considering that Phillips plays for Leeds and played a significant role in their Championship-winning 2019/20 campaign, it may not come as a big surprise that these Whites supporters didn’t react well to Pennant’s claim that Phillips shouldn’t be in the latest England squad.