For years, Leeds United watched as their academy talents would move on to clubs that could actually reach the top flight. Last summer, after missing out on promotion, they nearly lost Kalvin Phillips to Aston Villa. The creative midfielder has gone from a box-to-box engine room to the creative heartbeat of the Leeds side. A key reason for their promotion, there is every likelihood that this season will end up with Phillips gaining full international recognition.
Already a stalwart at Leeds, he has the passing range and the physicality to handle the top flight without any issues whatsoever.
What makes him so special?
What makes Phillips so interesting as a player is his transformative change in the last few years. Once a box-to-box player who scored a few goals, he’s been turned into one of the best defensive midfielders in the Championship. While a meagre return of 2 goals and 2 assists show a massive drop-off in his output in previous seasons, it’s his ball retention that makes him such an interesting player.
Phillips was among the best midfielders in the league, making an average of 1.8 key passes per game. On top of that, he’s retained a passing accuracy of over 81% across the reason – very impressive given how attack-minded Leeds are.
Having even played at central defence for a game for Leeds, he’s shown himself to be an excellent reader of the game, a great ball-winner, and a fine tackler. He’s also known for having excellent passing and for opening up the game for Leeds. When he isn’t in the team, they miss his ability to start attacks, spread the play to the wide areas, and take shots from distance to open up the play.
In short, he’s a game-changer for a club that looks to be as ambitious as any promoted side in recent history.