‘Exceptional’ – Tim Sherwood makes bold Kalvin Phillips-England claim after selection
Tim Sherwood has claimed that Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is better than England duo Declan Rice and Harry Winks.
Phillips made Leeds history on Tuesday, becoming the first Elland Road player to represent the Three Lions since 2004.
There was outrage up and down the country as Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish missed out, although Sherwood jumped straight to the defence of Phillips.
Sherwood claimed that Phillips is in the running to be the best defensive midfielder in the squad, only just behind Jordan Henderson.
“Jack is a different player to Phillips,” he told the Daily Star.
“He’s exceptional and he’s vying to be the best No6 in that squad, sitting in and around the back four.
“I guess you’d have to give Jordan Henderson the nod just above him because of what he’s done with Liverpool but after him, Phillips is better than the rest.”
Much of that credit going to Phillips must also go to Marcelo Bielsa.
El Loco has transformed the Yorkshire Pirlo in the past two years, moving him into that defensive spot after years of playing as a box-to-box midfielder.
Comparing Phillips to Henderson, who is missing from the squad for games against Iceland and Denmark – the Leeds midfielder impresses.
The 24-year-old completed more tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks according to WhoScored – impressive in two dominant teams last season.
The level of competition is set to rise, but if Phillips can consistently perform as he did against Arsenal in the FA Cup, he will be in that England set-up for many years to come.
In other Leeds United news, agent of reported Whites target has categorically ruled out signing this summer