The Elland Road favourite has been an ever-present for England in the centre of the park, and midfield partner Declan Rice believes that the duo have proven a lot of people wrong with their performances.
"With me and Kalv, people are always going to write us off," Rice told the BBC.
"I read stuff where people write us off and say we aren't good enough to be playing at this level. Well you've seen today, we are."
Rice is happy to admit the pair didn't match their highest performance standards in the 0-0 group stage draw with Scotland but he insists their response is evidence of their suitability for the national team.
"Maybe yeah against Scotland we weren't at our best but we parked those performances to the side and I think that's part of being a top player," he said.
"You have to move on, you have to be mentally strong and you have to go out there and keep putting in performance after performance."
His message to his midfield partner in the dressing room after the victory over Germany was simply that they now have to move on once again, in order to produce what is required on Saturday in Rome.
"I just said to Kalv after the game then, we need to keep going," he said.
"There's another final on Saturday which we're about to play in and we need to stay fully focused and ready for what's next to come."
We’ve gathered the best of today’ Premier League speculation below…
1. Toon look to tie Murphy down
Newcastle United are said to be moving closer to tying down Jacob Murphy to a new long-term deal. The 26-year-old has been linked with a host of Premier League club this summer, but look to have now made a breakthrough in negotiations with the player. (Football Insider) (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Pantling
2. Daka joins Foxes
Leicester City have confirmed the signing of exciting striker Patson Daka from RB Salzburg. He's joined the club on a five-year deal, after blasting his way to 27 goals in 28 games in the Austrian top tier last season. (Club website) (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
3. Gilmour set for medical
Leeds United, Newcastle United and Rangers are set to miss out on signing Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour, as Norwich City have booked a medical for Thursday. (Sky Sports) (Photo by CARL RECINE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: CARL RECINE
4. Onuachu talks underway
Paul Onuachu's agent has arrived in England to hold talks with Brighton and West Ham. (Own Goal Nigeria) (Photo by YORICK JANSENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: YORICK JANSENS
5. Celtic want Mooy
New Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has asked the Glasgow club to prioritise the summer signing of ex-Brighton man Aaron Mooy. (90min) (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Livesey
6. Clarets interest in Roberts downplayed
Burnley have recently been linked with Swansea City and Wales full-back Connor Roberts, but The Sun’s Alan Nixon has played down the Clarets’ potential interest. (Personal Twitter account) (Photo by Koen van Weel - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Koen van Weel - Pool