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Jesse Marsch and Kalvin Phillips want Leeds United to emulate England partnership with Declan Rice
Jesse Marsch and Kalvin Phillips have discussed how they can use his experience next to Declan Rice with England at Leeds United, Phil Hay reports.
The key midfielder is set to finally return from injury for the trip to Wolves tomorrow night (Friday 18 March), the first time he has been available for his club since the sacking of influential former boss Marcelo Bielsa.
Discussions between player and manger appear to have hit upon a link between the changed of system under the American, and the set-up the 26-year-old has been deployed in to great affect by Gareth Southgate.
After the manager spoke to the press ahead of the trip to Wolves Hay wrote on Twitter: “Marsch has spoken to Phillips about how he will be used in a changed formation.
“Says Phillips thinks Marsch’s system is similar to the England set-up and that he should be able to apply what he does with Declan Rice to the system at Leeds.”
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Phillips and West Ham’s Rice were the midfield pairing as the national side made it all the way to the final of EURO 2020 in the summer.
A hint of that kind of success would be invaluable as the Whites look to battle their way out of relegation trouble.
The Hammers star may be a higher standard of player from the partners on offer at Elland Road, but any formation that already has a level of comfort for Phillips is a bonus.
The long-term injury absentee was one of the players who developed the most under the tutelage of Bielsa.
Adapting to a new system with no time to spare, upon return from a significant period out, is far from an ideal situation.
So it has to be a positive that the player himself appears to see how he can succeed within the set up already.
With Patrick Bamford back, and captain Liam Cooper also set to return, things suddenly look a bit more positive, after Joe Gelhardt’s late winner bagged a vital win at the weekend.
Better late than never, maybe things are turning in the club’s favour.
In other Leeds United news, one ex-White has suggested that some players will have been “delighted” that Bielsa left.