Noel Whelan: Kalvin Phillips showed why he is the best in the business against Fulham
Kalvin Phillips played a valuable role in Leeds United beating Fulham and Noel Whelan was amazed by the midfielder’s contribution.
The BBC pundit paid him applause for his role in winning the ball back for Raphinha’s winner.
Phillips pounced on Fulham’s Mario Lemina on the halfway line and then found Patrick Bamford. He turned and ran at goal before slipping in Raphinha to net the winner.
Commenting on the goal for BBC Radio Leeds, Whelan said, “Great work from Kalvin for the second goal, anticipation, why he’s the best in the business in that role.
“He sees it, he smells it he goes straight in and from that everyone else comes alive, just because of Kalvin’s enthusiasm to win that ball back.”
Shows what we have missed
Phillips spent four games out injured recently but at Craven Cottage he showed he is back to full fitness and back to his best.
He was vital in Leeds winning the midfield battle along with Stuart Dallas and that was key to the three points.
Fulham like to play football but Phillips looked to disrupt them throughout and his play for the goal epitomises what he is all about.
He showed brilliant anticipation to nick the ball off Lemina and we suddenly switched into attack mode to score.
We really lack that ability to transition from defence to attack when Phillips is not in the side, which shows how important he is.
There are few players in the Premier League capable of fulfilling the Phillips role, so Whelan is right to suggest he is the best in the business.
However, that also means Victor Orta has a challenge on his hands to find an adequate back-up to the £30,000 a week star [FootballLeagueFC] this summer.
In other Leeds United news, Tony Cascarino has made a transfer claim about Raphinha after his Fulham display.