Claim made on 'rusty' Kalvin Phillips at Sheffield United but he's got 'true quality' | OneFootball

Jimmy from Blades Ramble anticipates Chris Wilder will keep the ex-Leeds United favourite in for the Steel City derby

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Kalvin Phillips has been backed to retain his starting place in Sheffield United’s starting XI ahead of next Sunday’s Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday.

The on-loan Manchester City midfielder was thrown in from the off at Portsmouth last Saturday and lasted far longer than initially planned as Chris Wilder’s side snatched a late win at Fratton Park.

After the aforementioned 1-0 away win, Wilder revealed how Phillips was only supposed to play "about 60 minutes" - which is perhaps down to the midfielder having only made his Blades debut five days prior against Middlesbrough, in a 23' minute cameo off the bench.

Given the fact that the ex-Leeds United favourite has hardly played any football at all this season, the big question now is whether he simply has to go again from the start against the Owls.

Sheffield United loanee Kalvin Phillips has "just got quality"

FLW’s Sheffield United Fan Pundit, Jimmy from Blades Ramble, made it clear he was thrilled to see Phillips’ name on the teamsheet at Portsmouth, and felt the selection alongside Djibril Soumare was exactly what the game demanded.

"I was delighted to see Kalvin Phillips in the lineup," Jimmy told FLW. "I think he had to partner Soumare because we can’t rely on Djibril Soumare to be consistent in the middle, unfortunately, and we needed a result.

That view ties in with Wilder’s own comments about needing more control and personality in the middle of the park, particularly away from home in high‑pressure fixtures.

That view ties in with Wilder’s own post-match comments about having the right mentality, particularly away from home in high‑pressure fixtures.

But Jimmy stressed that the decision to rest Sydie Peck and play Soumare at Fratton Park should not be viewed as a long‑term call, and fully expects the 21-year-old to come back into Wilder’s XI for the derby.

The Fan Pundit added, "Sydie Peck was rested. I don’t think he’ll be rested on Sunday, I think he comes back into the side, and I think Phillips keeps his place."

In terms of Phillips’ actual performances so far, Jimmy claimed, "I thought Phillips looked a little bit rusty at times, I have to say, but once he got going you can see the quality he brings.

"We saw the other night with the pass to Gus Hamer, the layoff to Patrick Bamford, against Middlesbrough - he’s just got quality. He’s got true quality, and I think once he gets up to speed he’ll be a real player in this side."

Kalvin Phillips anticipated to start in the Steel City Derby alongside Sydie Peck for Sheffield United

With the possibility of Jairo Riedewald returning from his hamstring injury, there may soon be more scope to manage Phillips’ minutes, but Jimmy’s expectation ahead of Sunday is very clear as to who he wants to start.

"There’s the potential that Jairo Riedewald returns from injury as well, so I’d expect Phillips to not have to play the full game but yeah, I anticipate that he starts alongside Sydie Peck at this huge, huge game at the weekend," Jimmy concluded.

Ultimately, on the evidence of Portsmouth and the magnitude of Sunday’s fixture, it is hard to argue against the idea that Kalvin Phillips has to be on the pitch from the first whistle at Bramall Lane.

Wednesday are staring at the very real prospect of being mathematically relegated on Sunday, and Wilder will surely be wanting his Blades side to show them no sympathy whatsoever.

Being six points off the playoffs, having a midfielder in Phillips - who cost £45m four years ago - starting week in, week out, is a serious positive for the run-in. It would also be a good opportunity for Wilder to see how his new man plays alongside Peck - if the latter is also picked to start.