Pundit ‘wowed’ by Leeds star Phillips after ‘phenomenal’ turnaround
Noel Whelan has heaped praise on Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips for his impact on international football.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the Whites ambassador claimed the 25-year-old has now become indispensable for both club and country.
Phillips impressed in England’s 4-0 win over Hungary on Thursday, just days after scooping the 2020-21 BT England men’s player of the year award.
As revealed by OptaJoe (September 2nd), Gareth Southgate’s side have only conceded once from open play in the 1,331 minutes Phillips has played for the Three Lions (16 games).
Whelan insisted the stat is because of Phillips’ “phenomenal” ability and is not a coincidence.
“Wow, that stat says it all,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“It is no coincidence. You only have to look at Leeds United’s record with and without him to realise that. He is integral to every side he plays in and that stat tells the full story.
“He plays a very specific role both for Leeds and England and he is missed by both when he’s not available.
“His ability to be in the right place, at the right time is phenomenal. He works incredibly hard and controls the play so he was fully deserving of the player of the year award.
“It’s been some turnaround from people saying he shouldn’t be in the England squad. He is so important to England now and cannot not be in that XI when you look at the stats.”
In other news, Phillips fears Leeds United are taking a ‘big risk’ after what he’s heard from Orta.