Neil Champney

Tue 2 June 2020 9:00, UK

Every Leeds United fan knows that Kalvin Phillips should be playing for England. 

The 24-year-old may have been plying his trade in the Championship rather than the Premier League, but he has been a standout performer for some time now, and there is a reason why Whoscored consider him to be the highest-rated defensive midfielder in the division this season.

Now, however, with the Whites hopefully just nine games away from a long-awaited return to the top flight, Phillips will get the opportunity to shine on the biggest of stages – and there’s one trait in particular that could make him a lethal weapon for Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

Phillips’ passing accuracy is very, very good – but it’s not unparalleled.

The Leeds man has a success rate of 82.7% over the course of his career, as per Wyscout, whereas West Ham star and potential England rival Declan Rice, for example, has a completion rate of 89.4%.

What sets Phillips apart, however, is how he uses those passes.

The Elland Road hero averages 7.84 balls into the final third per game, compared to Rice’s 6.21.

Similarly, Phillips plays 1.32 balls into the box compared to Rice’s 0.54.

That incisiveness is a vital tool in Leeds’ arsenal, allowing them to shift the emphasis of their build-up and break through defensive lines with ease.

And the variety of Phillips’ passing is superb too.

Above is a diagram of the 10 successful balls into the final third that Phillips played in the 1-1 draw against Brentford back in February.

The range of distribution – from long, sweeping diagonals to short, stabbing forward passes – is hugely impressive, and illustrates a player who is in total control of the tempo of a match.

Similarly, here’s a diagram of the three successful passes Phillips played into the box in the 1-1 draw against Preston North End on Boxing Day.

One in particular is a perfect exhibition of the midfielder’s incredible vision and execution.

Phillips will quite often pick the ball up in these deep pockets of space, acting almost like a quarter-back as he surveys the picture in front of him before making a pass.

Notice how his head is up as soon as he receives the ball, and for that matter, how he doesn’t just play the simple sideways pass that is on in midfield.

Instead, he cuts out the entire defence with a pinpoint accurate delivery that serves up a free header to his teammate on a silver platter.

It’s literally the perfect pass, and on another day, Leeds find the back of the net and collect all three points.

And that’s what differentiates Phillips from other players in his position – like Rice, for example.

He is constantly looking to pick the lock of the opposition defence, even from his deeper role in midfield.

What’s more, he has more than enough ability to do it on the regular.

If we go up, he will be a surefire hit in the Premier League, there can be no doubts about it.

In other Leeds United news, Mauricio Pochettino claims Elland Road ‘inspiration’ has ‘same talent’ as World Cup winners.