Anyone who has watched Kalvin Phillips closely knows Leeds have a real gem on their hands – and now England have, too.
The midfielder was named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for their opening Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Iceland, though his inclusion was called by talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham as far back as January.
Watching the 24-year-old in action against Arsenal in the FA Cup last season, he clearly made an impression, with Durham insisting Phillips is ‘the player Granit Xhaka probably dreams of being’.
Premier League fans will see him a lot more regularly this season now Leeds are back in the big time, though Gooners will know all about him. If his teammates were able to convert their chances, it would have capped a memorable night, but Arsenal eventually prevailed en route to winning the trophy.
Phillips, however, shone in midfield as he dictated the tempo to suit the second tier side and Durham heaped praise on him,
“In terms of midfield, there was a midfielder for Leeds who outshone everybody,” Durham said at the time.
“It’s the player Granit Xhaka probably dreams of being.”
“I think he could play for England as well,” the Drivetime host added. “I don’t think there is any doubt.
“And if he had been in the Premier League this season, I think he would be in the England squad.”
Durham was joined in the studio by Danny Murphy, the former Liverpool midfielder nurtured in the famous Crewe Alexandra academy.
Having first noticed Phillips around 18 months ago, Murphy admitted it was the movement and understanding of the game which set him apart.
And he was adamant he would be a Premier League player this season irrespective of whether Leeds achieved promotion.
“When the ball is getting knocked about between the back four and the keeper, that holding role is really, really important.
“You have to be really cute and really clever and [Michael] Carrick was one of the best at it. How does someone always have time on the ball?
“Well it’s what they do before they receive the ball; movement to get into the space, the pace of the movement, when to go to the ball and when to stay away from the ball to lose your marker.
“[Mesut] Ozil was trying to keep track of him, but couldn’t get near him. And then his distribution was really good.
“It was really disciplined – didn’t want to be the star of the show by hitting 50-yard pings all the time.
“He did play through the lines sometimes, he knew when to play safe and his set-plays were really good.”
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