Matt Phillips is an England International at the U-19 and U-20 levels and currently plays as a winger/attacking midfielder for Blackpool. Aged twenty, he has shown an ability to get forward for goals, with 4 in 15 appearances in League play.
His most recent exploit in the FA Cup saw him grab a hat trick against Fleetwood Town in a 5-1. This came shortly on the heels of his hat trick against Barnsley on Boxing Day. While this seems to indicate a certain quality in the young player, does that necessarily mean that West Ham should make a move to bring him to East London?
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From the limited footage I can find of the player, he does possess a good right foot and some decent pace, and at 6’1″ he offers a bit of height in a position that usually lacks it. His goal scoring record speaks for itself, and for his position and his age I’d say it’s a pretty decent one. However, Phillips is young and still learning a great deal. Against Fleetwood Town, he was responsible for Blackpool’s non-league opponent’s only goal, as his careless back pass was a perfect though ball for the opportunistic striker. To his credit, Phillips did claim a hat trick that game, so he should be able to brush aside the incident easily. What I found more intriguing, though, is the way Blackpool tend to play and how Phillips fares in it. The ball stays primarily on the ground, with quick one-touch passes prevelant. Phillips handles the ball at his feet very well, and his movement off the ball and his runs into the box all seem to reflect a player older than 20 years of age. He seems a promising prospect for the future, and I doubt West Ham is the only club looking at him.
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Given Phillips’s age and his unproven ability at the highest level, I’d say he’s a great buy for the future. If he can fulfill his potential and make the big step up, Phillips could be a Hammer for years to come. His pace on the wings and vision in the hole is greatly needed at the club, as we have no real outright wingers. He’s shown he has an eye for goal and his ability to pass the ball is evident simply in the way Blackpool play. I think he’d be a good addition to the squad (at the right price) and, if he isn’t rushed, could prove a vital asset to the squad. It’s always nice to see a strong English spine in an English club.
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Matty is going nowhere I’m afraid!
It will cost you a min of 12 million to sign him and the club are in no rush to sell anyone
He undergoing a medical at upton park as we speak!
Matty is still learning his trade but would still command a fee greater than West Ham can afford. 20 year old English goal scoring wingers don’t come cheap when they are at cash rich clubs with long contracts. He’ll definitely light up the Prem but it’ll be for a bigger more successful club than the hammers IMO.
there is no bigger club than the mighty hammers m8
Bigger and successful? Right, so being on the bench week in, week out is a great way to make use of this lads talents. A good little player if we hammers can get him as we are the ‘academy of football’ after all but seen him a few times and he reminds me too much of Stanislas.
not for sale accoring to gold on twitter so sounds like we’ve asked
Amazing what you ‘afford’ when you`re supposedly effectively bankrupt! Just goes to prove the cockney wideboy is still very much alive and kicking in Landan`s east end…
A hoof ball manager like Fat Sam would be no good for a player as good as Matt, plus he isnt over 6ft 5″!!!