Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United was denied the chance to collect big international silverware last night due to a penalty shoot-out.
After England took an early lead at Wembley Stadium thanks to Luke Shaw, Bukayo Saka's missed spot-kick handed Italy the European Championships title.
DON'T MISS:
It was a thumping affair that sprung into life in the second minute. The game went to extra time and the dreaded shoot-out after Shaw's opener was followed by a scrappy Leonardo Bonucci equalizer.
In the end, England's EURO 2020 campaign ends in disappointment, with silver medals serving as a tangible smack in the face to the players who had worked so hard to put an end to 55 years of anguish.
As a result, the England players will split up and head out on well-deserved vacations throughout Europe and, no doubt, the rest of the world.
Following deferring a safari in Kenya to join Gareth Southgate's squad this summer, Kalvin Phillips will now spend some time resting and recuperating after a long, hectic season.
DON'T MISS:
This could force Marcelo Bielsa to alter his preparations for Leeds' season opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
With a month and two days until the two club sides meet in their 2021/22 season opener, it's safe to presume Phillips will spend almost half of that time away from Thorp Arch's pre-season preparations.
A two-week break would still be a short respite for Phillips after a demanding 2020/21 season and European Championships, but the Leeds midfielder is likely to be eager to return to first-team training.
Two weeks of preseason may not be enough for Bielsa to select Phillips in his starting lineup on the first day of the season.
He's been vocal in the past on the importance of players returning to peak shape in order to avoid injuries caused by the rigors and dynamism of professional football.
Bielsa previously stated that in the absence of Kalvin Phillips, Robin Koch can fill in admirably.
"Robin Koch has previously demonstrated his versatility as a defensive midfielder and a center-back. In either of those two positions, he is an outstanding choice. He's already proven to be a capable centre-back, and he can also play as a defensive midfielder. He might be considered for either of those roles "In April, Bielsa stated.
"It's not completely new to me because I've played some games for my old club and one or two games for the national team," Koch remarked following the 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in May.
Koch will be expected to come back for training in mid-July after being left out of Joachim Low's Germany team for EURO 2020.
On June 29, Germany was knocked out of the World Cup by England in the Round of 16.
Koch will have had an extra two weeks off, meaning he will have three to four weeks of pre-season training under his belt by the time Leeds face Manchester United on August 14.
It remains to be seen whether this is an option Bielsa explores, but it is certainly a possibility, gauging by the Argentine's recent comments on the matter.
No comments:
Post a Comment