{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Nigel Martyn: Homegrown Leeds star better than £21million Everton ace
Nigel Martyn has claimed that Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has had a better start to the Premier League than marquee Everton signing Allan.
Carlo Ancelotti brought the Brazilian to Goodison Park from Napoli for £21million, although Martyn believes the homegrown Whites ace is a better option.
Phillips returned from his injury against Arsenal over the weekend, and will likely once again anchor the midfield in Merseyside on Saturday.
Martyn praised Philips, claiming that two areas of his game are better than Allan, who has also impressed the former keeper.
“Kalvin’s reading of the game, perhaps, is better,” he told the Boot Room.
“Allan is a really good player, he has impressed me. He breaks a lot of things up. He follows the ball instead of staying with his man sometimes, which can happen.
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
“They’re very similar, but Phillips is more mobile, quicker. Allan is an intelligent guy and does a good job. Both do a good job, there’s no criticism towards either – but Kalvin is a bit quicker on his feet and for a young guy, he reads the game really well.”
Comparing the two players via WhoScored, both have impressed.
Allan has made more tackles per game in the Premier League, but Phillips has completed more interceptions and fewer fouls.
Martyn singled out that Phillips’ reading of the game, and the fact that the 24-year-old is dribbled past only once compared to Allan, who is passed 2.4 times in every game.
It will be a battle of two of the Premier League’s best on Saturday, and Phillips will be eager to continue his return from injury and make up for lost time.
In other Leeds United news, many Whites fans hit out at one pundit over these remarks
Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Whites and more exclusive content with Paul Robinson.