Stephen Warnock told the Football Show on Sky Sports (28/12/20 at 10:50 am) that Kalvin Phillips has become ‘such an accomplished player’ at Leeds.
The former left-back thinks Phillips has gone to a level not many would have thought he would reach, as he praised the manner in which he has conducted himself, both on and off the pitch.
It could be argued that Phillips is Leeds’ main guy and over the weekend he played a different role during his side’s 1-0 win against Burnley.
Nonetheless, Warnock, who would have seen Phillips come though as a teenager when he was at Elland Road, heaped praise on his performances.
“He’s such an accomplished player,” said Warnock. “The way he has taken to the Premier League and taken to Leeds United under Marcelo Bielsa.
“He does it in a manner [dealing with defensive danger] that it looks so simple to him. He plays the game at his own tempo. I think he has been outstanding.
“I was fortunate to play with Kalvin as a youngster when he was at Leeds and you knew he had ability. But he has gone to a level that I suppose many thought he didn’t have.
“He’s listened to Marcelo Bielsa, he’s understood the way he wants him to play, the way he looks after himself on and off the pitch is a credit to himself. He’s taken his professionalism to the next level.”
Not only is Phillips doing bits at club level, but the £20k-a-week star [Daily Mail] is also now trying to make a name for himself on the international stage.
It looks as though it will be a battle with Phillips and West Ham’s defensive rock Declan Rice for a place in England’s midfield.
Gareth Southgate likes to play a two-man midfield, with the more attack-minded Mason Mount playing alongside a Rice, Phillips or even Jordan Henderson.
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