‘Everything that was good about Leeds’: Sky pundit drools over ‘deceptively quick’ ace v Arsenal
Sky Sports pundit Stephen Warnock has heaped praise on Kalvin Phillips after the midfielder’s display for Leeds United on Sunday.
The match ended 0-0 but Leeds dominated the game, with Arsenal reduced to 10 men after 50 minutes following Pepe’s head-butt on Gjanni Alioski.
Talking on The Football Show (Sky Sports, Monday, 10am) Warnock said, “He’s missed a little bit of football but he was one of the reasons why Leeds kept a clean sheet against Arsenal.
“His reading, his anticipation of the game, his power when he goes into tackles.
“I don’t think people realise how fast he is. He’s not one of these players that looks really quick but he’s deceptively quick.
“His passing range on the day, starting attacks… he was everything that was good about Leeds.”
Phillips is so important for Bielsa
Following the game on Sunday, Phillips tweeted: “Frustrating result but every point counts.”
That sums up how the fans feel as well but it was fantastic seeing Phillips back playing for Leeds after missing three games with a shoulder injury.
There was a worrying moment when he went down with what looked like a knee injury but he shook it off and finished the game.
Hopefully, there won’t be any more bad news about him ahead of the Everton game.
Phillips was back to his best on Sunday. Like Warnock said, his reading of the game is incredible and the protection he gives to the back four can’t be underestimated.
He kept popping up in the right place at the right time, and with his vision and power, he can turn the game and get Leeds attacking straight away.
And he is quick. Ask any Leeds fan about his attributes and speed would be way down the list, but he does have speed – as much in thought as in body.
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