West Ham United manager David Moyes has emphasized the need for support and assistance for midfielder Kalvin Phillips following allegations of misconduct. The 28-year-old England midfielder was reportedly involved in an incident where he made an offensive gesture towards fans while boarding the team bus after Saturday’s defeat against Newcastle United.
Phillips, currently on loan to West Ham from Manchester City until the end of the season, finds himself under scrutiny amidst the unfolding controversy. Moyes, speaking on behalf of the club, underscored the importance of backing Phillips during this challenging time.
“We need our fans to give all our players the support they require,” stated Moyes, acknowledging Phillips’s humanity and emphasizing the need for assistance and understanding. Moyes reiterated West Ham’s commitment to providing the necessary support for Phillips amid the allegations.
Despite the recent incident, Moyes expressed confidence in Phillips’s abilities and his potential impact on the team. Phillips has made seven Premier League appearances for West Ham, starting in three matches. Moyes believes there is still an opportunity to harness Phillips’s talents during his time with the club.
Phillips’s aspiration to regain a spot in the England squad was dealt a setback as he was omitted from recent international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium by England manager Gareth Southgate. Southgate cited concerns regarding Phillips’s recent performances, indicating a need for improvement.
Reflecting on Phillips’s situation, Southgate remarked, “At the moment, I couldn’t be confident on the performances Kalvin’s had in the last few weeks that he could go into the field and do the job we know that he’s capable of.”