Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips has told the Leeds That podcast that he joked with Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish while on England duty about kicking “the s**t into him” when the two go head to head at club level.
Both Phillips and Grealish have established themselves as members of the England side of late, both appearing in the last international break against Denmark, Wales and Belgium. The two sides have done battle in the Championship too.
Phillips failed to play against Grealish last time out, after picking up a shoulder injury in training. The holding midfielder watched on from the sidelines as Grealish failed to make the difference – with Leeds winning 3-0 at Villa Park.
Phillips was asked about his time with England, which has since seen him pick up four caps for Gareth Southgate’s side. He spilt all about the banter he had with Grealish, telling him that he was going to “take him out” and “kick the s**t out of him.”
“I’ve known Jack just from playing against him for so many years,” Phillips said. “I’ve seen him on a couple of nights out, I’ve seen him more than the others. I get along with Jack, even though when I play against him, I try and kick the s**t out of him.
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“He was saying to me at England, ‘I can’t wait to play against you I’m going to rip you apart’. Obviously I was injured, but I told him ‘I’m going to take you at as soon as I see you’. It’s just one of them, we throw banter at each other.”
Phillips is expected to remain on the sidelines until the end of November with the shoulder injury, which has hampered his excellent form this season. However, he remains crucial to Leeds – and now, to England.
The Whites are next in action on Monday night as they welcome Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City to Elland Road – who are in excellent form this season, having earned a 1-0 win over Arsenal last time out thanks to a late Jamie Vardy header.
