'He's the man' - Eddie Gray blown away by 25y/o who is 'so important' to Leeds

Eddie Gray has heaped praise on Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips for his role since Marcelo Bielsa arrived at Elland Road.

The Yorkshire Pirlo has received many plaudits for his Man of the Match performance in the 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday evening.

Gray admitted he rates Phillips 'very highly" and has done for many seasons as the 25-year-old continues to catch the eye in the Premier League.

Speaking on LUTV, Gray singled out Phillips as one player with one of the most important jobs in this style under Bielsa.

"I rate Kalvin very highly," he said.

"He's always for a young player had talent, but I think Marcelo Bielsa has brought that talent out. The last few seasons I think he's been tremendous.

"He's so important to the football club. The thing about Kalvin, Kalvin knows his job in the Leeds United team, there's so many players in the team that bomb forward - if anything breaks down, he's the man that's going to be there to stop people getting at the back four.

"He does a tremendous job."

Phillips was everywhere at Goodison Park.

The 25-year-old topped the charts in nearly every category against the Toffees. The midfielder covered the most distance, had the most touches, made the most passes and gained possession more than any other player.

Phillips missed a couple of games before the international break with his shoulder injury, and Leeds conceded eight goals and lost consecutive games 4-1.

After his return, the Whites have kept two clean-sheets and have looked back to their best - something Gareth Southgate got to take in at Goodison Park.

Phillips should be back in the England set-up in March, and it is nothing less than he deserves after he phenomenal start to life in the Premier League.

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