Stephen Warnock has told Sky Sports News (05/07/21 at 11:55 am) about how Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips used to have the ‘presence’ even when he trained with him as a teenager.
The former Premier League defender shared that ‘even as a 16-year-old’ Phillips, who has come through the ranks at Leeds, had a ‘similar’ physique to what he has now.
With England bidding to win Euro 2020, Leeds’ defensive rock has been one of the shining lights for his country and has no doubt taken his game to the next level.
And Warnock shared that the Leeds man had that positive ‘arrogance’ about his play even when he was still a fresh-faced attack-minded midfielder.
“With Kalvin, you always knew, even as a 16-year-old,” said Warnock. “He probably was a similar stature to what he is now.
“He had that physique, he had that presence on the football pitch, he had a swagger and arrogance about him. It was a nice arrogance about him.
“But what he has done is taken his game to another level – Bielsa has given him that opportunity.
“I think he has improved hugely when you have a manager of that ilk – they are working with some of the best managers.”
Prior to the start of Euro 2020, many were questioning whether Phillips has the qualities to produce the goods for his country in the middle of the park.
But fast forward to today and he is one of England’s key players heading into their semi-final showdown with Denmark tomorrow.
Not only that, he has built quite a partnership with Declan Rice, as the Three Lions are yet to concede a goal at this tournament.
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