The Leeds United midfielder may have scored four goals this season but should he really be starting every week?
At first glance, Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is having a good season, with four league goals from the centre of the park in 12 appearances to date.
The problem is, Leeds are losing every time they step on to the field in recent weeks and the calls for a change of personnel are growing louder.
Phillips has gone some way to solving Leeds’ problem of a lack of goals from midfield last season. And yet his own lack of pace is causing issues just when the Whites should be mounting a serious promotion push.
It is one thing scoring a few goals and quite another acting in an effective midfield axis that can successfully battle against the top sides in the Championship.
More experienced midfielders are running rings around Phillips right now, with his failure to track opponents and his inability to boss the centre of the park clear for all to see.
The calls for Ronaldo Vieira are growing increasingly vociferous, and at least the Leeds teenager possesses the engine to cover every blade of grass and ensure rivals do not get a moment to rest.
In contrast, Phillips’ best performance of the season came on the opening weekend against Bolton Wanderers – an occasion that is looking increasingly distant – and it is his weaknesses rather than his strengths that are having the biggest impact on Leeds more recently.
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