Kalvin Phillips has enjoyed the best year of his footballing life, by quite some distance. Not only has the Leeds United midfielder played a pivotal part in the Whites gaining promotion – but he has become the club’s most influential player in the Premier League, while also earning six England caps in the mean time. Alex Mowatt has commented on his rise.
Phillips, 25, has now surpassed 200 appearances in all competitions for Leeds and that figure only looks more and more likely to rise in the near future. Rumours of the England ace moving to a bigger club have seemingly dissipated, with the midfielder contracted at Leeds until the summer of 2024. He looks as if he will be staying at the club, if we continue to grow.
Mowatt is also impressing. Captain of Barnsley, the left-footed midfielder has been influential in their push for the Championship play-offs. With eight games to play, they sit in fifth place – an incredible achievement given then somehow survived relegation on the final day last season. Mowatt was asked about his ex-Leeds teammate, and could not have given more praise.
“I’m so happy for him,” Mowatt told Sky Sports. “He’s done unbelievably. Since Bielsa came in he’s been ridiculous. He’s got Leeds promoted and rightly so, he’s in the England squad. Every game I’ve watched, I’m buzzing for him. When we were in the championship it’s hard to see anyone play for England – but now he’s in the Premier League he deserves it. It would be nice to face him next season.”
Phillips will be hoping to help Leeds finish in the top half of the table, and he looks a sure bet to be a part of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2021 squad this summer. It is an incredible run of form that has come about since Marcelo Bielsa took over in the summer of 2018 – with fans calling for Phillips to jump ship, just as Mowatt did, before the Argentine gaffer arrived.
Next up for Phillips is Poland on Wednesday night but having started against San Marino and Albania, it is likely that Phillips might drop to the bench. Leeds take on Sheffield United at Elland Road on Saturday.
