MOYES: YOU CAN MULLER RICE
Kalvin has point to prove..i hope he can do it
DAVID MOYES says West Ham are giving Kalvin Phillips the platform to show he’s still as good as Declan Rice.
Hammers boss Moyes reckons the pair were on the same level when they were running England’s midfield together at Euro 2022 (above).
Now, they will go head to head at London Stadium with loan star Phillips looking to rebuild his career after a troubled spell at Manchester City and Rice going from strength to strength at Arsenal.
Moyes (above left) said: “Two years ago I thought there was very little between Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips.
“Kalvin played very well at the last Euros for England. In truth, Declan has kicked on.
“Kalvin went to make all the right moves and it hasn’t quite worked for him. It can happen in football. But he’s young enough and good enough to get back to the levels. When you have a bit of a point to prove you have to do it.
“You have be given that opportunity to show you can do it. I hope we get Kalvin his opportunities to do it.”
Phillips was dropped to the bench for West Ham’s 3-0 thrashing at Manchester United after a shaky display on his Hammers debut. But he is set to start against Arsenal as West Ham look to beat their north London rivals for the third time in a season.
The last time they managed that was 99 years ago. Moyes’ men are unbeaten in their last six league games at home. It was a 2-2 draw here that helped destroy Arsenal’s title ambitions last April, but they come into this game on the back of a big win over Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta was criticised in some quarters for his over-the-top touchline celebration during that game.
But Moyes, who managed him at Everton, claims he taught the Spaniard how to be a touchline tearaway!
He said: “Did he learn that from me? I think he probably did, to be honest. It changes with age and experience. I’ve tried to settle down.
“There was a period where I would watch Sir Alex and Arsene Wenger sit calmly, coming off the bench every now and again to give the odd instruction, and I wanted to be like them.
“They trusted their teams. They let them get on with it. They didn’t need to be jumping around. I was jumping around trying to play every ball.
“As a manager you have to find a way to show humility and respect at the right moments. But there will be moments in your career…
“I’ve run down the touchline before. Managers need to enjoy themselves, and let’s be fair VAR has made it very difficult to get your excitement levels up when you score.”