Kalvin Phillips is best option to play alongside Declan Rice with England, says Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate has admitted Kalvin Phillips was lucky to avoid a red card against Italy in the 3-1 win at Wembley.

But the England boss also insisted the forgotten Manchester City man is the best midfield partner for Arsenal’s club-record signing Declan Rice.

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Phillips started in England’s 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying win over ItalyCredit: Getty

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But he could have been sent off on another day with the midfielder fortunate to avoid a red cardCredit: Getty

Phillips started for the Three Lions in their victory over the Azzurri on Tuesday night as England qualified for Euro 2024 with two games to spare.

Having played just 70 minutes of Premier League football this season, it was clear that the ex-Leeds star was lacking in match fitness.

He was booked just nine minutes into the match, and Phillips could have got his second yellow in the second half for a late challenge on Bryan Cristante.

It led Jordan Henderson to come on as his replacement moments later, with Southgate fearing he could end up being dismissed and suspended.

Speaking to talkSPORT’s England correspondent Faye Carruthers, Southgate was asked about Phillips’ lack of minutes, and how he was fortunate not to have been sent off.

And when pressed as to whether he needs to leave the Etihad Stadium in January to remain in England’s squad, Southgate said: “I thought the job that he did, it was little bit like the game against Scotland.

“People will say, ‘well we don’t need another holding midfield player because you’ve got control of the ball’.

“But the reason we’ve got control of the ball is because of the holding midfield player.

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Southgate has defended Phillips. who is a peripheral figure at the EtihadCredit: Getty

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That is despite having to take him off out of fear he could be dismissedCredit: Getty

“So yes, I think that we were fortunate. On another day, he might have picked up another yellow, that’s why we got him off, and we did.

“Of course it’s not perfect that he doesn’t play every week, but in that position, I don’t see a better player in England to do that job in a double-pivot with Declan Rice.

“So we are hopeful that he can keep forcing his way in at City, but he is up against world class players there – Rodri, Bernardo [Silva] and [Mateo] Kovacic.

“So it’s not easy, but I have to say it every time, a bit like Harry Maguire, every time they play for England, they show what top players they are.”

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