Leeds fans have been reacting in their numbers on social media, after LUFC Data shared that Kalvin Phillips has won more defensive duels than any other player in the Championship this season.
The 23-year-old has recorded a staggering 372 successful duels this term, which is 15 more than Queens Park Ranger’s second-placed Massimo Luongo, and 26 more than Sheffield United’s Enda Stevens.
Phillips has been one of the most integral aspects to Marcelo Bielsa’s starting XI since the boss’ appointment in the summer, and has started 39 of our 42 Championship ties so far.
Beyond out-right defensive duels, the 23-year-old has also registered the joint-eighth-most successful tackles for any player in the division with 96 from 139 – the same as Ezgjan Alioski, but the Macedonian has attempted two more.
All things considered, some supporters have been suggesting that Phillips would be worthy of our Player of the Season Award, ahead of Pablo Hernandez, who has scored our second most goals (12) and leads the side for assists (14).
The Player of the Season Award will be announced on April 27, with the event originally scheduled to be held following our game against Aston Villa, but the match will now come second thanks to its rescheduling for TV.
For now, here’s what’s being said on Twitter after LUFC Data shared Phillips’ remarkable stat…
WOW! He’s instrumental to this Leeds side, when he’s at it the team is at it. A consistent 9 throughout the season, what a player can’t wait to see him in the PL
— Barney ™ (@BarneyStuart21) April 14, 2019
He’s been different gravy this season. If he carries on improving I honestly see an England call up
— Daniel Fletcher (@DanielFletch89) April 14, 2019
My player of the season, sorry Pablo.
— Vagabond of the Lowfields Road. (@Edward83061536) April 14, 2019
Player Of The Season – he makes everything tick – most Improved – MVP – when we play in the Premiership he’ll get a call up for England #LUFC
— Gary Frielick (@GaryFLUFC) April 14, 2019
Great stats deffo between him an Pablo for player of the year would love to see either ????????
— ????Russ???? (@russcausier) April 14, 2019
Way to go Kal. @Kalvinphillips . Having a great season.
— Moocat7 (@moocat7) April 14, 2019
He’ll be playing for England within two years
— Gary King ???????? (@ThisIsGaryKing) April 14, 2019
That’s a belting stat
— Burls (@burley_josh) April 14, 2019
Nice one statsy, what transformation the Yorkshirepirlo has had this season
— SWhite (@ScottWaccoeLUFC) April 15, 2019
Not Bielsa. No doubt he’s helped but this guy was always gonna be one hell of a player. Said that on his debut #lufc
— Christopher Fisk (@chrisifisk) April 14, 2019
What makes this even more impressive is the context that we average something like 60-70% possession per game, in theory that reduces the number of possible defensive encounters per game. Truly outstanding.
— Ben Gittins (@BenGittins) April 15, 2019