There has been much speculation over the future of Kalvin Phillips but he now has an unexpected chance to earn a permanent move to West Ham.
It would be a huge understatement to say things have not gone to plan for Kalvin Phillips since joining West Ham from Manchester City.
After 18 months in the cold at Man City, many expected Phillips might be a touch rusty for the Hammers.
But it has been far worse than anyone could have imagined.
The midfielder signed on loan from Man City twice gave the ball away leading to goals in his first couple of appearances.
Phillips was then sent off in West Ham’s defeat Forest. That caused him to miss West Ham’s game at Brentford which ended up being the club’s first win of 2024.
West Ham loan worse than any could have imagined thus far
He was then on the bench for subsequent games until getting another big chance in the home game against Burnley.
Phillips – along with most of his teammates – put in a shocking first half performance as the Hammers trailed 2-0 at half-time to the league’s whipping boys.
The loan midfielder was then hauled off at the break and West Ham went on to get things back to 2-2 and were unlucky not to win.
Despite controversially keeping his England place while on the bench at Man City, Phillips has now lost the confidence of Gareth Southgate after being snubbed for the latest Three Lions squad.
And he’s not the only one if reports are true that David Moyes has also ditched any plans to sign Phillips permanently.
But there may be some light at the end of this very dark tunnel for the 28-year-old.
Because Phillips will be handed the chance to earn a permanent West Ham move in three key games.
Phillips’ big chance for Hammers redemption
If you have been following my updates on Hammers News you will know crucial star Edson Alvarez has been hit by a new ban blow.
The Mexican is already banned by UEFA for the first leg of West Ham’s Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
And a 10th Premier League booking of the season means El Machin will miss vital games against Newcastle and bitter rivals Spurs too.
It actually means West Ham will be without Alvarez for three of their next four games.
Given the magnitude of those games in deciding West Ham’s fate in the race for the Euro places and in the Europa League, it is a huge chance for Phillips to finally prove his worth.
The stage is now set for him to show he can step in and do the job when it matters most.
Phillips also has two weeks now to get his fitness levels and sharpness up.
If the midfielder can shine and contribute in the three games where Alvarez will be missing then it may just convince West Ham – or indeed another club – that he is worth signing permanently in the summer.