Chris Sutton asserted that it was a “misguided” choice, acknowledging that he was perplexed by Kalvin Phillips’ previous interview regarding his time at Manchester City.
Phillips’ time at West Ham United on loan hasn’t been easy to begin with.
In their 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at the City ground over the weekend, the midfield player received a red card.
After pushing a player away from him, Phillips received his first booking. Later, he caught Morgan Gibbs-White with a late challenge.
It comes after the player makes a mistake in his first two games.
In a recent interview, Phillips discussed his awful experience at City and acknowledged that Pep Guardiola’s comment that he was overweight had a significant impact on him. However, Sutton has since questioned Phillips’ decision to participate in the interview.
Recently, Phillips did an interview where he reflected on his time at City.
It was really tough spell for him at the Etihad, with Pep rarely playing him despite praising him in public.
He was asked for his toughest moment at the club, and Phillips admitted the manager’s comments about his weight were difficult to take.
Sutton was speaking about Phillips on The Monday Night Club, and didn’t have a great deal of sympathy for the player showing vulnerability.
He said: “He just hasn’t got going (at West Ham). I thought it was a soft sending off. Everything at this moment in time seems to be going against him.
“But he really has no choice, he just has to get through this. He just has to have that mental resolve, that resilience, and pick himself up.
“It may be incredibly tough for him, because he’s struggling and maybe doubting himself. I thought the interview he did, and we want everybody to be honest and I get that… I thought it was misguided.
“It was certainly seen as a weakness when I played if you came out and admitted that you’ve lost your hunger. I don’t know why he did this interview.”
Previously, Sutton expressed his frustration about Phillips being overweight, suggesting that was ‘unforgivable’.
Nothing wrong with Phillips showing vulnerability in interview
This is harsh from Sutton because there is surely nothing wrong with a bit of honesty. That is just who Phillips is.
But obviously now, Phillips needs to start showing something for his new club.
The £150,000-a-week player has had a really bad start but perhaps his complete lack of rhythm and momentum has not helped his cause and he has admitted to being low on confidence. Those things are a natural by-product of hardly playing.
He’s there now at West Ham, and it’s time for him to get back to being the player we all saw at Leeds United.
Once he’s served his suspension, then he needs to force his way back into David Moyes’ side and stay there.
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