Over the last two seasons, Kalvin Phillips was a Championship player in name only; his performances were far more polished than the league that he found himself in. All that can be attributed to not only his skill and potential buy also Marcelo Bielsa for uncovering it.
It was Bielsa who decided that he was not going to be a lung-bursting, box-to-box midfielder. Rather, he was going to be a defensive-midfield general in the mould of Claude Makele. He’d be breaking up the opponents play and getting Leeds back on the front foot.
He became known as the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ and today took his talents onto the international stage with his England debut against Denmark. In doing so he became England Player 1250 to represent his country.
Here’s a look at some number from the game.
Kalvin Phillips vs Denmark
- Touches – 73
- Passes – 58
- Final Third Passes – 10
- Tackles Attempted – 5
- Tackles Successful – 2
- Clearances – 1
- Interceptions – 2
- Lost Possession – 4
It was a drab affair for any player to be involved in, but Wortley-born Phillips got stuck in and gave more than a decent showing of himself. He’ll have learned a lot from this game and it will be interesting to see him the next time he pulls on an England shirt.
This one, though – this shirt belongs to Marcelo Bielsa with Phillips saying that he will be gifting him it as a thank-you gesture.
