Marcelo Bielsa made a big claim about Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips before taking over at Elland Road.
Angus Kinnear has told BBC Radio Five Live’s Football Daily podcast that Marcelo Bielsa insisted that Kalvin Phillips could be one of the best centre-backs in the Championship before he had even agreed to take the Leeds job.
Phillips has been a revelation for the Whites this season. The 23-year-old has always been a player that looked to have some potential – he scored seven league goals last term – but few would have imagined just how important he would become under Bielsa when the Argentinian arrived in the summer.
The academy graduate has established himself in the holding role that regularly involves dropping into the defence as a third centre-back. It has certainly allowed Phillips to show the best aspects of his game on a regular basis, and Bielsa’s decision to use Phillips in that position has unquestionably been a masterstroke.
Few would have seen it coming. But Kinnear suggested that Bielsa told him and Victor Orta about his plans for Phillips when the pair flew out to Buenos Aires to meet the 63-year-old for the first time before he had even agreed to take over at Elland Road.
“He knew our squad better than we did. He referred to every player by their number, so he didn’t know the names but he knew the number of every player in the squad. He had specific ideas on how players could be adapted and how they could change position,” he told Football Daily.
“And actually many of those decisions he made at the time that I doubted have come to fruition. He told us that Kalvin Phillips could be one of the best centre halves in the league. He was very clear on the players that he wanted in his squad. He’d watched every single game.”
Had Leeds fans been asked before pre-season began whether they would prefer to see Phillips or Ronaldo Vieira sold, it seems likely that more would have suggested that they would want the latter to stay.
Vieira appeared to be the player that had the limitless potential. But Bielsa’s faith in Phillips has been completely vindicated as he has enjoyed a remarkable season and will surely kick on further as he learns more about the roles he now plays in.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
