'I hadn't watched him' - Harry Redknapp has eyes opened by 'under the radar' Leeds United player
The Elland Road favourite put in a stellar display on his major tournament debut, forming a solid partnership with Declan Rice in the centre of the park, and providing the assist for Raheem Sterling’s winner in a 1-0 victory.
For most Leeds supporters, Phillips’ impressive showing was hardly a surprise given his standout form last season, but Sunday’s game was enough to convince many neutrals that the 25-year-old has earned his place in Gareth Southgate’s plans.
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Hide AdSpeaking to talkSPORT on Tuesday morning, former Tottenham manager Redknapp was quick to admit that he had his eyes opened by Phillips’ dominant display at Wembley.
He said: “[I was] Very impressed!
"Like lots of people, I hadn’t watched him that carefully. He’s a player who I’ve seen play – I watch every game on TV – but he wasn’t a player like a Phil Foden who you look at and think, ‘My god!’.
"Leeds have been a little bit under the radar and had a good season, but just how good he was the other day, I thought he was fantastic. It was a real top class performance.
"He looked like a complete all-round midfield football player, and that was a big bonus for England for sure.”
Phillips’ appearance against Croatia was just his ninth in an England shirt, but has earned him rave reviews from a host of pundits, including Jose Mourinho and Roy Keane.