Both Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion are pushing for promotion to the Premier League this season.
Darren Bent has claimed that Kalvin Phillips is the ‘best player’ in the Championship as he also thinks that the Leeds United man is playing in the ‘wrong division’.
Former striker Bent thinks that Phillips pips fellow midfield rival Romaine Sawyers to that title, with the West Brom player recently helping his team move to the top of the table.
Phillips has come through the ranks at Elland Road and has always been a highly-rated talent, as the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa last season took his game to another level.
Speaking to Drive on TalkSport, Bent explained what he likes about Phillips and what makes him better than Sawyers.
“I have got five on my list,” Bent told TalkSport. “You can only pick one and I agree with Kalvin Phillips. For me, he is the best player in the Championship. He is so key to what Leeds do.
“He is playing in the wrong division. I think he should be in the Premier League and I think Romaine Sawyers should be in the Premier League. Those two are good enough to be in that midfield as the anchor because they are very good on the ball.
“Where Kalvin edges Romaine just a little bit is his energy. Romaine on the ball, it’s just so nice, pass the ball, it’s all about one pace and no-one can seem to get the ball off him. Whereas, Phillips flys into tackles. I have seen him play centre-back, wins his headers, he takes set-plays and has a great delivery. His intensity and aggression I think that is why he pips it for me.”
In recent seasons, Phillips hasn’t just shown his ability in the middle of the park, but when injuries have ravaged Leeds, he has also showcased his talents at centre-back.
Despite playing out of position, he never looked out of place when given a shot at centre-back, but it’s in midfield where he does all the work.
Another aspect of his game which has improved has been his ability to put in a quality ball from a dead ball situation.
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