Kalvin Phillips was a decent box-to-box midfielder for Leeds United. He’d come up through the Academy and had burst into the first-team. He was putting in the displays, the hard yards and was endearing himself to the Elland Road faithful.
At the same time, some fans were on his back and critical; it is fair to say that he did get his fair degree of pelters from a cohort of fans whose football knowledge is likely distilled from FIFA15 and reading Shoot magazine. However, Marcelo Bielsa didn’t see KP as a box-to-box and told him so.
For Bielsa, Kalvin Phillips was more of a defensive lock to operate in front of the back four. But, he saw him as more than that. Bielsa saw Phillips as not only being able to break up opposition attacks but also as having the ability to kickstart Leeds United counter-attacks. In that respect, he’s like Claude Makelele.
Such has been his two-season stint as a midfield enforcer that he’s just received his England call-up by Gareth Southgate for games against Iceland and Denmark.
🦁 KP is a #ThreeLion! pic.twitter.com/m7765kL6eV
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 25, 2020
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 25, 2020
Phillips was a massive force this season in Leeds’ push for their eventual promotion. Time and again he was there with a thundering tackle and a quick turn around as Leeds worked the defensive phase into an attacking one. When the customary ‘Whites blip’ was in full flow, Phillips’ return from a three-game, red-card suspension against Brentford, a game that ended in a 1-1 draw, was the start of a pick-up in form that led to an unbeaten run of six games leading up to the Covid-19 lockdown.
Indeed, the Whites only dropped 4 points from their last 14 games – 9 of which included Kalvin Phillips. Such was his influence last season that Gareth Southgate had been tipped to include him in the next round of games. That ‘tip’ is now a reality and here is how Leeds United fans are celebrating the news on Twitter.
Leeds United fans reactions at Kalvin Phillips England call-up
congratulations to @Kalvinphillips on your first England call up show them how leeds players smash it
— David LUFC Anson (@ansondavid1988) August 25, 2020
Any young player in England must be looking at @Kalvinphillips in the #England squad and thinking #lufc can do that for me too.
— Pete Stones (@PeteStones123) August 25, 2020
Congratulations @Kalvinphillips for getting into the England squad! What a guy a what a player! @LUFC
— Luke chester (@chesh_Luke) August 25, 2020
Kalvin Phillips. What a boy! Absolutely made up for him. Back in the premier league with an England international. Is this real? #LUFC
— Ben Smith (@BenSmith_7) August 25, 2020
This is where hard work, talent and dedication can get you. Delighted for you @Kalvinphillips and all your family 🦁 #LUFC @England https://t.co/2Mz1bThWnF
— Ben Parker (@ben_parker19) August 25, 2020
"Grealish is a BTEC @Kalvinphillips."
Gareth Southgate speaking today.
(We already knew😉)#AVFC#LUFC
— Mr P 🏆 (@GaryPeck66) August 25, 2020
Leeds United fans know the levels that @Kalvinphillips plays at. It’s time for the World to witness them.
Congratulations Kalvin Phillips 🙌🏾🔥#LUFC #MOT #ALAW #ThreeLions https://t.co/jkIibQIBG5
— Kagey (@Kagey_) August 25, 2020
No Leeds managers gave Kalvin Phillips a chance until Bielsa, and that’s why he’s the best in the business. We are so lucky to have him!#LUFC
— Van White LUFC (@Fernaticalg) August 25, 2020
Villa fans crying because Grealish isn’t in the England squad and @Kalvinphillips is #LUFC #MOT #ALAW pic.twitter.com/1vMY4jbPqg
— Michael Kelly (@Mike_Kelly7) August 25, 2020
