LIONS TIGER
Phillips: Our England success is down to Bielsa’s coaching
KALVIN PHILLIPS believes that being an England regular is down to the unique coaching of his Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.
It’s why his long-term Elland Road future probably revolves around how long the much respected Argentinian is prepared to hang around in West Yorkshire.
The 66-year-old whose coaching acolytes include Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino never commits to more than one season, a situation which next summer may impact on Phillips.
The Leeds on-field talisman has a number of admirers in the Premier League including Manchester United and Liverpool who are ready to pounce given any encouragement by the player.
Any signs that Bielsa is ready to call time on his Leeds reign would make the 25-year-old midfielder more vulnerable to any bids from an interested party.
Grateful
As he prepares to face Norwich today at Carrow Road after recovering from injury he paid Bielsa the ultimate compliment insisting that his rise into the England ranks, together with recently capped Three Lions team-mate Patrick Bamford, is down to his manager.
“It just goes to show how well we have done as a team and as individuals to have two players in the England squad,” he stated. “Everyone knows the coaches and manager we have got around us. They have taken our games to another level.
“That has got us recognition to play for the national team and we’re very grateful for that. It was nice to have Pat there recently in the England squad.”
Phillips has gone from strength to strength under Gareth Southgate and has clocked up 17 England caps, starting in 16 of the games. He was also named England Player of the Year.
“It still hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he admitted. “I am very grateful, very honoured and very happy that all the fans voted for me to be honest. I am happy my name is out there and I have shown people what I can do on the
pitch.”