MOT View: £20k-a-wk Leeds ace could have biggest test yet v Reading
There’s no disputing the fact that Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips is the best defensive midfielder in the Championship.
The 24-year-old has attracted huge praise from fans and pundits after two massive performances that have helped Leeds’ promotion bid get back on track in the last week.
Phillips served a three-match ban before returning to action in the promising 1-1 draw at Brentford before a midfield masterclass helped the Whites win 1-0 against Bristol City at Elland Road on Saturday.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side seem to have rediscovered their form thanks to having a fit and fresh Phillips at the base of their midfield and while he performed well against Brentford and the Robins, he could have his biggest test yet at the weekend when Reading make the journey up to West Yorkshire.
Reading are 15th in the Championship standings and do not seem to be much of a threatening side but it is safe to say that they have two of the most exciting midfielders in the league in John Swift and Ovie Ejaria.
According to stats by WhoScored, Swift has averaged more key passes than any other player in the Championship [2.6] while Ejaria is averaging more dribbles per game than anyone else in the second-tier [3.3].
Swift has assisted nine goals this season – only two players have more – while Ejaria has proven his importance from a more deeper role by scoring three goals and assisting four in the Championship.
Phillips is going to have to be at his very best to deal with these two players. One of which is known for his deadly passing accuracy while the other can cause all sorts of problems when he’s running at defenders with the ball at his feet.
Luckily, the stats who that Phillips is one of the best in the league at dealing with these types of threats.
The £20,000-a-week ace [Daily Mail] ranks sixth in the Championship for the average number of tackles he makes per game [2.9] while only three of his Leeds team-mates can boast more interceptions per game [1.3].
It means that Phillips is well-equipped to deal with both the vision and cutting edge of Swift and the trickery and control of Ejaria.
Phillips deserves all the praise he has had lately but that praise should be increased tenfold if he can continue his form this weekend.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Forshaw has posted an update on his recovery.