Marcelo Bielsa’s comments look like high praise for Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips

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Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has caught the eye with his showings so far this campaign.

Marcelo Bielsa’s comments on Kalvin Phillips to Leeds Live show that he has already been raised to another level since the Argentine took over at Leeds United.

Phillips had his detractors at Elland Road prior to this campaign, with some Leeds fans feeling that he shouldn’t be a permanent starter.

However, Phillips has been transformed since Bielsa arrived at Leeds, and has silenced any critics.

Phillips’ energy and competitiveness in Leeds midfield has made him integral to their plans.

And Bielsa’s comments about Phillips prove that he has gone from a promising youngster into a vital member of their first-team.

“You can’t evaluate Pearce, Shaughnessy, Shackleton the way you evaluate Phillips, Saiz or Jansson,” Bielsa said, when asked about the performances of his younger players in the Carabao Cup last night.

For Phillips to be mentioned in Samu Saiz’s and Pontus Jansson’s company, rather than the other Leeds’ youngsters, shows how highly Bielsa rates him.

Jansson and Saiz are arguably Leeds two star players, so for Phillips to be named in that group just goes to highlight how far he has progressed.

Indeed, Phillips isn’t much older than Tom Pearce or Jamie Shackleton, and he is the same age as Conor Shaughnessy.

And if Phillips keeps up his current level of performances, then Leeds can legitimately feel that they have one of the best young prospects outside of the Premier League.