Fabio Capello: Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips is not like Andrea Pirlo
Fabio Capello has rubbished comparisons between Andrea Pirlo and Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips, 25, is widely dubbed as the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ among Leeds fans.
He was even called that by an Italian commentator during England’s win against Croatia at the European Championships last month [David Anderson].
However, former England manager Capello, who is currently working as a pundit for Sky Sports Italy during the Euros, has rubbished the notion Phillips is anything like the Italian legend.
“Phillips is not like Pirlo and he will never be. He is a much faster and more aggressive player, of good quality but he is not Andrea’s heir. He reflects a lot the tactical qualities of Marcelo Bielsa,” Capello told the Daily Mail.
“At Leeds with Bielsa, Phillips has really grown a lot and today he is the best modern midfielder I have seen on the pitch – but no one should compare him to Pirlo.”
Stop spoiling our fun, Fab
Capello should keep his opinions to himself. We all know this – but there’s no need to spoil our fun.
Pirlo and Phillips have similarities and differences.
Pirlo was known for sitting in front of the defence and spraying out superb passes all over the pitch.
Has Capello seen Phillips play for Leeds? Because that’s what he does for Marcelo Bielsa.
He hasn’t been doing that for England, in fairness, and that may be why Capello has a different view of the Leeds midfielder.
But he does make good points about Phillips being more physical and faster. If anything, it sounds to us as though Capello is making out Phillips to be better than Pirlo!
In all seriousness, it’s a name that was given to Phillips in the Championship, while Stuart Dallas became known as the Cookstown Cafu only to start playing in the midfield.
It’s great that we have players who get these nicknames and seem to take them on.
We just don’t think people should take them too seriously.
In other Leeds United news, Jose Mourinho has made a claim about Phillips.