Opta share incredible stat about Leeds ace Phillips after England thrash Hungary
Leeds United ace Kalvin Phillips’ importance for England has been highlighted by Opta’s recent stat.
Per Opta Joe, the Three Lions have looked more solid defensively whenever the 25-year-old has been on the pitch for them.
In the 16 matches and 1,331 minutes he has played for Gareth Southgate’s side, England have conceded just one goal from open play.
Last night, once again partnering Declan Rice at the heart of the England midfield, the Leeds man pulled all the strings and perfectly controlled the tempo the entire evening.
The Three Lions won 4-0 and Phillips was one of their standout performers.
Due to Rice’s rock-solid presence, the Whites midfielder was given the luxury to go forward as well on a few occasions, and he was just as influential in the final third as he was at keeping the Hungarian attackers at bay.
Southgate has been a believer in 25-year-old before most others.
He handed him his international debut before he even kicked a ball in the Premier League and since then he’s been undroppable for the former Middlesbrough boss.
Phillips has shown that he’s willing to adapt and play a role that was similar to the one he played at Leeds before Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival.
The Argentine made him more of a deep-lying playmaker, but as seen on numerous occasions for England, especially at Euro 2020, he can operate as an eight and is pretty dangerous in the final third as well.
It’s no surprise that Phillips is admired by both head coaches as well as his teammates and the entire Whites fanbase.
We can’t wait to see him back in action in a Leeds jersey and get that elusive first win of the new season.
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