Leeds United employee raises new Kalvin Phillips fears after confirmed update
Noel Whelan has raised fears over Jesse Marsch handing Kalvin Phillips a “more expansive” role in the Leeds United midfield.
The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted while the 26-year-old being given more freedom is an “exciting” prospect, he does not want to lose his “defensive qualities” in the middle of the park.
Speaking at his press conference on Thursday (17 March), Jesse Marsch revealed he has spoken to Phillips about his plans to use him in a midfield two, compared to as a solitary defensive midfielder.
The Leeds boss compared the homegrown star’s prospective new role to the “double six” that he operates in when playing for England.
Whelan admitted he does not want Phillips to lose his defensive edge.
“It does excite me,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“But I also don’t want to take away anything from those defensive qualities that he has and that reassurance for the backline as well with the role that he played under Bielsa.
“The reassurance from Kalvin gave the forward players the confidence to get further forward.
“I don’t want to take that away, but I like the fact that he gets a little bit further forward. He can still do that anyway from a defensive point of view.
“I would be very reluctant to have him bombing forward when we need that reassurance at the back. Phillips is the one player that reads the game so well.
“He is one of the best defensive midfield players in the country. That is because of that role that was found by Marcelo Bielsa.
“I wouldn’t really want to change too much about the good work that has been done in that position. On one hand, it’s great that we’re going to be a little bit more expansive going forward with Kalvin.
“On the other hand, you’ve got to make sure that you know it’s limited at times.”
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