Leeds youngster Kalvin Phillips impressed against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Leeds United manager Garry Monk has told BBC Radio Leeds that it’s pleasing to see young players progressing at Elland Road after Kalvin Phillips impressed against Ipswich.
Leeds made it four wins in a row in all competitions on Saturday afternoon, as Chris Wood’s hit a first-half winner to hand Monk’s men a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town.
Blackburn’s Hope Akpan and Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips in action
With no goals conceded in the last three games in all competitions, Leeds are making real progress under manager Monk, and his side should become even better once captain Liam Bridcutt returns from injury.
Bridcutt missed out on Saturday’s game, meaning that new signing Eunan O’Kane was partnered by youngster Kalvin Phillips in the heart of midfield.
Reading’s Danny Williams and Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips in action
Phillips, 20, was born in Leeds and has come up through the ranks with the club, becoming the latest youth product to become a first-team regular, following in the footsteps of team-mates Charlie Taylor and Alex Mowatt, as well as Premier League stars Sam Byram, Lewis Cook, James Milner, Fabian Delph and Aaron Lennon.
After 12 appearances in the last two seasons, Phillips has already played 11 times this season, and he seems to be on his way to becoming an important first-team player under Monk.
Leeds manager Garry Monk
Following the game against Ipswich, Monk was asked for his thoughts on Phillips’ performance against the Tractor Boys, and told BBC Radio Leeds that he is pleased to see him taking steps forward to understand his role exactly – and thinks that all of the club’s young players are following suit.
“What’s good for me is that every player, as we’ve seen in the cup games that we’ve had, whoever goes onto that pitch understands the role that they need to play exactly, and specifically how they need to perform,” sad Monk. “It’s pleasing for me to see that they’ve taken steps forward, all of them – Kalvin as well. We’ve got a very young group, they’re getting experience all the time, they’re understanding what’s needed from them more and more, and they’re putting their personality more and more onto the pitch,” he added.
What did you think of Phillips’ performance against Ipswich?
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