Jack Harrison responds as West Ham United sign Kalvin Phillips to a loan at Everton.
On January 26, the Hammers declared that 17-year-old Ben Jacobs, a midfielder linked to Everton, had joined them on a short-term loan until the end of the campaign.
Due to his meager playing time under Pep Guardiola this season, the 28-year-old departs the Etihad, nearly two years after leaving Leeds.
The Premier League champions were amenable to Phillips’ possible transfer to Goodison Park when the Toffees made their bid earlier this month, but West Ham emerged victorious in the competition for his services.
After his announced transfer to East London, Phillips took to Instagram on Friday, January 26, to send a message to the Irons supporters.
“I am thrilled to sign for West Ham for the balance of the season,” he added. I am eager to get going!
Harrison, a former Leeds teammate, also congratulated him on his new endeavor in a message he tweeted with the number 11 and a few emojis.
Given Phillips’ caliber and experience at the club and international levels, the deal is a huge coup for West Ham United and a move that sends a clear message to the other Premier League teams.
Although Everton may have been the beneficiary of such a significant acquisition, it became evident in the end that they were unable to absorb Phillips’ high salary and the loan payment that Manchester City would have preferred.
West Ham wins because Everton loses, and Phillips might have been a huge asset to Dyche’s team at Goodison Park, particularly with Idrissa Gueye still out in the middle of the Toffees’ midfield.
Although Amadou Onana is a great option for defensive midfield, it is evident that he performs best in the number eight position rather than the deepest part of the midfield, and Dyche will have yearned for more quality in that area.
Harrison would have also preferred the deal, as it would have allowed him to reconnect with a former teammate with whom he experienced history and glory at Leeds United during their successful ascent to the Premier League.
Harrison, though, is likely to have been understanding of Phillips’ circumstances at City and supportive of any transfer that improved his career; even if it is just temporary, West Ham appears to be the ideal next step for him.
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