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Since Marcelo Bielsa joined Leeds United, I would argue that there has been no player more important to Leeds than Kalvin Phillips.
The job he does as the defensive midfielder, allows the other midfielders and crucially the wing-backs to push forward and create the overloads that Leeds’ attacking play relies on. In addition to this his ability to play as a centre-back not only gives cover for injuries, but gives Leeds the ability to switch to a 3-3-1-3 without any change in personnel.
Few years ago saying Kalvin Phillips wasn’t good enough for the Prem. He’s now the best English CDM and it’s only a matter of time before he’s playing for England. https://t.co/JpDijAkOrF
— Paddy Miller (@padwar11) April 18, 2020
This season Phillips has been excellent, although there have been a couple of games where he dropped below his usual standards. His only goal of the season came in the 1-0 win over Birmingham City in Leeds’ centenary match, and there could not have been a more apt goalscorer on the day.
His performances both this season and last season have many people saying he has a future in the England national team, and he is one of the players who could benefit from the one-year delay to EURO 2020.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Birmingham City (H) - Another one of those games where the goal pushes a performance from one of may good ones, to the best of the season. Goal aside, Phillips won a lot of tackles and did well in the air when it was needed
Leeds-born Kalvin Phillips scores the winner for @LUFC in their centenary game.
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) October 20, 2019
#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/6nNKTQy1te
Leeds played a back three of Luke Ayling, Ben White, and Gaetano Berardi which gave Phillips a little bit more freedom in an attacking sense. This higher starting position allowed Phillips to take advantage when Jack Harrison won the ball back in the attacking third.
WORST PERFORMANCE
QPR (A) - I’m sure no-one is shocked at this selection. Gave the ball away more than he normally would and wasn’t as successful as you would expect in his defensive work. Frustration got the better of him and he was sent off for a horrendous challenge Geoff Cameron. This earned him a three-game ban and Leeds lost two of those matches.
88' RED CARD!
— QPR FC (@QPR) January 18, 2020
Leeds' Kalvin Phillips is sent off for a horrendous 'tackle' on Geoff Cameron.
Thankfully, @GeoffCameron has escaped injury free.
(1-0) #QPRLEE
SEASON (so far) RATINGS
Kalvin Phillips has had an excellent season, but the more I think about it I am just giving the edge to Stuart Dallas in the Player of the Year stakes. I stand by the statement that Phillips is the most important player to Leeds, but the silly red card just pushes Dallas to the top. I gave Dallas 9/10 so I will say 8.75/10.