Ashley Cole apologises after comments he made about Kalvin Phillips after the midfielder helped guided England to the Euro 2020 final.
The 25 year old footballer has started each of the Three Lions’ games at the tournament and his partnership with Declan Rice has been crucial to their success.
The Leeds United stalwart only earned his first cap last September and there were questions of his ability to perform on the international stage once Gareth Southgate announced his inclusion in the squad.
But Phillips has answered those questions emphatically over the course of the tournament, starting with a man-of-the-match display in England’s group-stage opener against Croatia.
Ashley Cole admitted he was one to be a critic after the full time whistle blew on the 2-1 victory over Denmark, also opening up on the apology he made to Phillips.
Kalvin Phillips brought a tear to the eye of Ashley Cole š #ENGpic.twitter.com/v51BvMxTWR
ā TEAMtalk (@TEAMtalk) July 8, 2021
“It was brilliant to see these fans here, the families are here, the players are celebrating singing that great song [Sweet Caroline], itās just wonderful,” The former Three Lions left-back told ITV Sport .
“Itās emotional. Iāll say it live on air, I had to get Kalvin Phillips here and say to him, āyou know whatā¦ big respectā.
“I think heās been tremendous in this tournament, heās been so solid and integral in this England [team]. For me that was my little āsorryā.”
Cole also discussed Phillips’ brilliant understanding with West Ham player Declan Rice in a glowing verdict on the England team as a whole.
The ex-Arsenal and Chelsea man added: “I have been very impressed. I think there were question marks on whether (Harry) Maguire should start coming back from injury.
“He came back and slotted in so well. I think he has been tremendous in the tournament.
“A shout out for Jordan Pickford who has been brilliant and hopefully he can get the Golden Glove.
“And then you look at the two pivots (Phillips and Rice) in front which I think have been vital and integral in the way that England play.”
Along with his fellow pundits, Cole was clearly showing how emotional he was in the immediate aftermath of England’s win over Denmark, which came after 90 hard-fought minutes and an equally-tense extra-time at Wembley.
“My throat is dry, my mouth is dry, it’s really drained me,” he said.
“Itās a little bit surreal, seeing the boys celebrate with their families, who obviously canāt come down and celebrate with them on the pitch, was brilliant.
“I think theyāve worked so hard in the game and to see how happy they are with the staff, the manager, the coaches, itās brilliant to see so Iām delighted with that.”
It was ahead of England taking on Scotland that Ashley Cole admitted to underestimating Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Cole became embroiled in a Twitter debate with Leeds fans after an opinion he gave during his work with ITV. Now, Cole admits he misjudged Phillips and Leeds fans reacted on Twitter.
A fan wrote: “He evidently has it in his locker, heās forever doing this for us, his range of passing is one of his best assets… As for his role, a lot of us Leeds fans will agree that heās not used in the same/right way by Southgate in an England shirt”
Cole said: “Listen I know he has that quality to play diagonals but itās from more deeper positions where when hes playing for England his role changes slightly has he plays more advanced between lines which in my opinion its not his strongest area to play from, hence my mention of Henderson”
A reply to that from one user read: “Accurate Long Balls per 90 from English CMs/DMs š¤·š»āāļø”
Cole added, as can be seen in the tweets below: “Donāt bring stats because they are a waste of time”
Listen I know he has that quality to play diagonals but itās from more deeper positions where when hes playing for England his role changes slightly has he plays more advanced between lines which in my opinion its not his strongest area to play from, hence my mention ofHenderson https://t.co/pDnkPvDJ5y
ā Ashley Cole (@TheRealAC3) June 6, 2021
Donāt bring stats because they are a waste of time, https://t.co/gyZg5Ldg8U
ā Ashley Cole (@TheRealAC3) June 6, 2021
Fans reacted as Ashley Cole apologises after comments he made about Kalvin Phillips…
@nigelpatrick100: Fair play to Ashley for acting like a man and saying he was wrong, not mine or many blokes strong point
@mou19645: Coles look of disgust when KP touched his shoulder š
@priestley93: Heās magic you knowā¦
@joemorley13: Is Kalvin the nicest guy on the planet??
@TheJackyCalv: This isnāt as nice as itās being made out to be. He still looks at KP like shit when he touches him. The most arrogant man in the world
@joelshooterfoot: Thought Ashley Cole speaking about Kalvin Phillips last night was superb. Usually see pundits just trundle on heads down with their opinions, so it was great to see AC hold his hands up and say āhey, I called that one wrongā.
@AgainApart: I just love this ā¦ Ashley Cole talking about the performance of Kalvin Phillips throughout the tournament and choking up like heād touched greatness. Heās Magic yāknow, Phillips, OUR Yorkshire Pirlo. #ALAW
@lufcdanny00: KP n Rice š some fucking combo
@ShaunPK92: To be fair he didn’t have to do that, a lot of people just double down on their original opinion out of stubbornness. Fair play to him for at least coming out and saying it. Phillips was solid from half time onwards, thought he had a bit of a nervy first half.
@Lee6378: It takes a big man to admit when he was wrong.. he was and glad heās admitted it on national tv! šš»šš»šš»
@Scoutsa: Ashley Cole eating humble pie re our Kalvin. So he should too, Kalvin has been immense all tournament #lufc #England
@callticketron: Love to see it
@bielsaball28: Ashley Cole bigging up Kalvin about his performance at this tournament, saying he pulled him to one side & told him how good hes been at FT. Fair enough – you got it wrong. Least you can admit it š #lufc
@robpeat13: Fair play that. Many punditsā egos would mean they couldnāt do that.
@curran_steve: At least heās admitted he was wrongā¦ his comments before the tournament were so far off the mark!!
@Lee_Sheard: Good on him for stating he was wrong about @Kalvinphillips he could just have said nothing. Every team in any sport needs a player/s that just do the unseen and unglamorous work that allows the team to succeed
@JackWrightMOT: Fair play indeed, respect
@FredgoldMartin: Jamie OāHara next on the list to eat humble pie š¤ #lufc #EURO2020
@alex_massey7: Choke on it. PHILLIPS THE YORKSHIRE PIRLO
@BarneyLUFC21: Fair play to Cole not many pundits will admit they are wrong, it wouldnāt had fussed Phillips either way
@TheMightyWhite1: Such an arrogant tit, Kalvin shouldnāt even tried to shake his hand
@Bennygerrard8: True, but shows how much character the lad has.
Ashley Cole almost choking on his humble pie, fair play. #lufc #kalvinphillips #ENG pic.twitter.com/kQvMTxJPI1
ā Liam Gray (@li4mlufc) July 7, 2021
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