Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is taking a huge risk playing Kalvin Phillips instead of Aapo Halme.
His nickname is ‘El Loco’ and Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is about to do something crazy.
Bielsa has already confirmed [YEP] that midfielder Kalvin Phillips will partner Liam Cooper in central defence this afternoon as Leeds visit Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.
The Whites have lost three of their last four Championship games and the experienced Argentine needs to arrest this form as soon as possible.
But playing Phillips as a centre-back might just exacerbate the situation.
That is because Phillips and Cooper are likely to have a difficult afternoon against the physical presence that is Michael Smith, who stands at 6’4 – or 193cm. Phillips is 178cm [Transfermarkt].
It’s a total mismatch and one that could very easily cost Leeds today.
If Phillips was Bielsa’s only other option then fair enough, but he isn’t. Bielsa also has a certain Aapo Halme at his disposal, and the 6’5 Finnish powerhouse is clearly a much better option to contain the burly Smith.
The Whites’ lack of height with Phillips in the box has already cost them against Hull and Blackburn in recent weeks, and if it does so again then questions must be asked of ‘El Loco’ – the Crazy One.
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