Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has admitted that he would leave Erling Haaland on the bench when asked to choose between the Norwegian, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham to start, sell or have as a substitute.
Phillips has struggled for minutes at the World Cup, as he recovered from a late fitness scare. The midfielder underwent surgery just six weeks before the campaign in Qatar, as he overcame a shoulder injury a week before Gareth Southgate's squad announcement.
The 27-year-old came off the bench and provided an assist during the 3-0 group stage win over Wales. Phillips again made a late appearance in the round of 16 victory over Senegal, as all eyes now turn to the quarter-final clash against France.
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The match is set to be a tense affair, but a bizarre moment during the pre-match press conference cut through the tension. Phillips was asked if he had to play, bench and sell one of Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, what he would do.
He said: "Oh, my god! I would start Jude. I love Erling but I reckon if he came off the bench he'd still score a hat-trick anyway. I'd sell Mbappe because he'd probably get the most money."
The French striker has dominated most of the media spotlight, as the current leader in the race for the Golden Boot presents a frightening prospect. Phillips was also asked if France having Mbappe has affected them and whether plans ended up centering around him.
He said: "It hasn't affected them that much to be honest. We know he is an amazing player and he has been one of the top players for the last few years and is probably going to be one of the best players in the world.
"We have to think about how to stop him and [Olivier] Giroud and [Antoine] Griezmann. We have been working on tactics to stop the whole team. But if there was anyone I would like to put up against Mbappe, it would be Kyle Walker because he is an unbelievable defender and probably the only one that is quicker than him as well."
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