By Gabriel Agbonlahor

21st Nov, 2021 | 8:00pm

Leeds star Phillips hailed 'unbelievable' by pundit

Kalvin Phillips is “unbelievable” and now the main man for England as well as Leeds United, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker insisted Phillips’ performances for club and country mean he will continue to sideline Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham.

Phillips, 25, and Declan Rice’s started all of England’s games as they reached the final of Euro 2020.

Rice had to withdraw from the squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers with an illness that gave Henderson and Bellingham a chance to impress.

As quoted by Leeds Live (November 4), Gareth Southgate claimed Phillips had been one of England’s best players since his debut last August.

Asked what Southgate’s preferred midfield pairing would be, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “When everyone’s fit it’s Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips.

“The performances those two put in during the Euros were unbelievable. The way Phillips won the ball back and was starting attacks, the pair of them were outstanding.

“There’s no competition in that place. Those two are guaranteed starters.

“Henderson did well, but you’ve got to look at who he did well against, it was Albania. Yes, Henderson is a really good player but I still think him and Jude Bellingham have got two players ahead of them in the midfield pecking order.

“Especially in that formation, 5-2-3, it just suits the two sitters who can let the three attackers attack and the wing-backs push on.”

Phillips now has 19 England caps to his name after only making his debut just over a year ago.

The 25-year-old won England’s player of the year for the 2020-21 campaign.

In other news, a Leeds United star has been given the all-clear to make his long-awaited comeback v Tottenham.