Leeds United have certainly had a bright start to the 2018/19 campaign with victories over Stoke City, Derby County and EFL Cup progress over Bolton Wanderers most recently.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa will be delighted with how his new charges have taken on board his instructions and desires for how we should play and whilst plenty of players have taken the plaudits on an individual level for their efforts, the performance of Kalvin Phillips across all three matches so far has seen him take the plaudits after the midweek clash.
The 22-year-old is filling in almost as a third centre-back at points, but quickly transitioning to attack when the chance allows and that transition often goes through him in the middle of the park.
That was no different on Tuesday night as he again became the lynchpin for the side as we took a 2-1 victory over Bolton and having previously split opinions, he’s now one of the first names on the team sheet for a number of fans.
Make that three exceptional performances from Kalvin Phillips under Bielsa.
His energy and movement tonight was impressive, but his positioning and distribution were both exceptional. Looks so confident on the ball now.???? #LUFC pic.twitter.com/N9w0kNSWxB
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) August 14, 2018
Beast.
— HungryDuck ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@LUFCPATRIOT69) August 14, 2018
I mean let's not ahead of ourselves. Cook is way above the level of Phillips and his long balls are questionable at times. But, I've said it already tonight – he ran the game.
— Braddy D (@Deasbe) August 14, 2018
Absolutely he's my most improved over anyone like saiz you knew he was talent but kalvin was only average for me hit an miss for 2 seasons and now he is transformed he's something else looks absolute quality in there like proper top class hope he keeps this up
— ????????????????????????????Russ???????????????????????????? (@russcausier) August 14, 2018
Some people forget how young he is too! Only 22 still, so much potential.
— Luke Jordan (@L_Jordan4) August 14, 2018
Win win for leeds
— Daniel Thompson (@DanielT62021844) August 15, 2018
It’s certainly some turn around for the man and whilst he deserves great credit himself for taking the role on and stepping up to the plate, Bielsa also takes the plaudits for having that kind of effect on him and being able to get him to set up to purely play to his strengths.
Long may it continue and the obvious delight for fans at the moment is he’s not the only one shining, we have better from Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Mats Klich and Kemar Roofe in the eyes of many and we’re reaping the rewards for that at the minute.