Danny Mills makes Kalvin Phillips prediction as Leeds United star and England head for Euros knockouts
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Leeds United star Phillips came through another full game for the Three Lions in Tuesday night's 1-0 victory against the Czech Republic at Wembley as England ensured they headed for the last 16 of the European Championships as Group D winners.
Phillips again started along with West Ham's Declan Rice in the middle of the park but again played a more advanced role than the one he fulfils for his club until Rice was replaced by Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson during the interval.
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Hide AdPhillips then took up a deeper position behind Henderson who continued his comeback having picked up a groin injury in February's Merseyside derby against Everton.
Phillips has now started six of England's last seven games and Mills believes the so-called 'double pivot' of starting two recognised holding midfielders is here to stay.
"It's a long term plan and this is why I think we have seen it in some of the qualification games," Mills told Sky Sports News.
"I said that even back then when the qualification was happening.
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Hide Ad"You are not playing against these minnow teams or weaker teams with a double pivot to play against them.
"You are playing to practice when it comes to the big games so that you have had experience and you know exactly what to do.
"Without doubt, there will be two holding midfielders and this is the argument about Jordan Henderson.
"Jordan Henderson has been taken to the tournament, in my belief, for 20 minutes/30 minutes in the next game or in the quarter finals when England possibly need him, they are up against it and they need to see the game out in the last 20/30 minutes.
"He brings a wealth of experience.
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Hide Ad"You don't need him to play 90 minutes, you need maybe two 20 minutes or two half an hours out of him.
"That's all you need for Jordan Henderson and that experience, that leadership that he offers if he pays 20/30 minutes could be absolutely vital."
England will take in their last 16 fixture at Wembley next Tuesday tea time against whichever team finishes runners up of Group F.
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Thank you Laura Collins