Leeds 24-yr-old eyed by international manager with call-up on the cards – report
Gareth Southgate could call Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips up to his England squad for March’s international friendlies, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claims that Southgate was in attendance at Elland Road on Saturday to watch Phillips in action as Leeds lost 2-0 to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
It is understood that the 24-year-old midfielder is hopeful of earning his first international call-up after impressing in the Championship this season.
England have a shortage of quality defensive midfielders and Phillips, who has grown into a superb footballer under Marcelo Bielsa, could be the answer to quite a big problem for Southgate.
Declan Rice, Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson have all been defensive midfield options for the Three Lions but Rice’s displays for his country have been widely criticised while Dier has struggled to stay fit and Henderson is better off being used in a more central role.
Phillips has sat in front of Leeds’ back-line this season and has proven himself to be one of the best English defensive midfielders there is.
Even on Saturday, as Leeds lost to Garry Monk’s Sheffield Wednesday, the 24-year-old impressed.
According to stats by WhoScored, Phillips completed 85 per cent of his passes, made four tackles – more than any other player on the pitch – and was only dribbled past once.
Phillips is a beast to contend with when Leeds are out of possession and a calm, collected operator when the ball is at his feet.
He is just what England need.
In other Leeds United news, Derby are likely to beat Leeds in the race to sign this top-flight striker.