Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is performing better than ever.
Lewis Cook’s sale in 2016 came as a tremendous disappointment to Leeds United fans, who had hoped he would be the leader of the team for the next decade.
Cook was sold to Bournemouth, taking a shortcut to the Premier League.
Little did Leeds realise at the time that a potential replacement was already at the club, midfield ace Kalvin Phillips.
Cook’s best asset was his tackling and ability to close teams down, winning the ball back against more experienced opposition.
Yet it says everything about Phillips’ performances this season that his tackling rate is now exceeding Lewis Cook’s during his time at Leeds.
| Season | Won Tackles per game | |
|---|---|---|
| Kalvin Phillips | 2017-2018 | 2.26 |
| Lewis Cook | 2014-2015 | 1.54 |
| Lewis Cook | 2015-2016 | 1.49 |
Phillips is averaging more tackles per game this season than Cook’s last two campaigns at Leeds when he was a regular part of the XI.
The Leeds midfielder is even the second most prolific in the Championship this season, testament to both himself, the coaching staff, and the club’s academy.
| Team | Won Tackles | |
|---|---|---|
| Massimo Luongo | QPR | 50 |
| Kalvin Phillips | Leeds | 43 |
| Didier Ndong | Sunderland | 40 |
| Luke Murphy | Burton Albion | 39 |
| George Saville | Millwall | 36 |
It’s time Phillips was given the credit Cook has had since his breakthrough, knowing also that the youngster contributes more goals this season than his former teammate did in his whole Leeds tenure.
It’s just a shame that Leeds fans did not get the chance to see them both blossom in the same side.
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