Kalvin Phillips sends celebratory Instagram message to Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier
Former Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has sent Illan Meslier an Instagram message with photographs of the club’s dramatic survival in the Premier League last season.
The Manchester City midfielder took to Instagram on Thursday afternoon (2 March) to wish the Frenchman a happy 23rd birthday, alongside photos of the two celebrating after their final day victory at Brentford last campaign.
The nervy 2-1 win against Thomas Frank’s side ensured that the Whites remained in the top-flight status for another season and condemned Burnley to relegation to the Championship.
Posting on his personal Instagram story, Phillips captioned the photo: “Happy Birthday. Playboy.”
Fond memories
Seeing Phillips wearing a Leeds United top beside Meslier will bring back fond memories to the Elland Road faithful – but the midfielder’s fall from grace this season is disappointing to see.
Following his £45million transfer to Manchester City in the summer, Phillips has struggled to even make it onto the pitch under Pep Guardiola, thanks to a string of ill-times injuries.
The England international was the beating heart of Leeds’ midfield under Marcelo Bielsa, and the departure still remains a sore transfer to stomach.
Although Tyler Adams has exceeded expectations since replacing Phillips at Elland Road, many fans will still believe that the club would have been able to make the next step up the Premier League table if they had kept hold of him in the summer.
Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta will now face an uphill struggle to keep Meslier at the West Yorkshire club beyond this season, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham all dubbed with a move for the 23-year-old previously. [Phil Hay, 23 February]