What a last 12 months it has been for Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips.
Not only has the 25-year-old established himself as a brilliant midfielder in the Premier League during Leeds’ first season back in the big time, but now he’s making waves on the international stage.
Phillips was England’s best player last weekend as Gareth Southgate’s side kicked off their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Croatia, as the Thorp Arch graduate set up the game’s only goal.
Fans of the Elland Road club have known what a gem Phillips is for years and now the rest of England and some of Europe is catching up, too.
Considering he was literally a Championship player this time last year, the Leeds star – nicknamed the Yorkshire Pirlo – has come a hell of a long way and even some Whites supporters may be surprised by how fast he has risen.
But one man who isn’t surprised at all is Barry Douglas, who revealed that Phillips was nothing but ‘unbelievbale’ during his time at the club.
Douglas, who has been released by Leeds this summer after joining for £3 million in 2018, told talkSPORT: “He was unbelievable in the two or three years I was there and it is no surprise to see him on the international stage as well. All the ingredients were always there and I think a lot of it down to Kalvin as well.
“He can go as far as he wants, he has already proven that he is already one of the elite players in England and he can hold his own and excel. He just needs to keep doing what he is doing.”
All eyes will be on Phillips again today as England take on Scotland at Wembley.
It’s already been an astounding year, but few would back against him to make it even better.
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