Kalvin Phillips injury update ahead of Leeds United vs Chelsea
According to Leeds Live (h/t Football.london), Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that Kalvin Phillips could be fit to face Chelsea.
What sets apart Phillips is how good he is at offence and defence in equal measure. One only needs to see his displays from last season or even a few games from this season to understand what we are saying.
Often playing as the sole defensive midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 setup, Phillips has to provide protection to the backline. He does that with aplomb as he has an uncanny ability to nick the ball off the opposition with relative ease. That’s not all as his deep-lying playmaking skills are something to behold.
Sitting at the base of the midfield, he controls the tempo of the game by putting in those defence-splitting long balls over the top or through the opposition backline.
Add to that his tremendous technique to play those diagonal balls to switch the play and it is easy to see why he is an important player for Leeds. The Englishman was a vital part of the side before his injury and during this time, Leeds have struggled massively.
Phillips returned to action against West Ham last time out, along with another injured player in Rodrigo Moreno. However, given their lengthy absences there were concerns over his recovery.
Bielsa, though, has confirmed that Phillips, as well as Rodrigo, are in good shape ahead of the game against Chelsea.
“They are both good.”
More Chelsea News:
- Chelsea could look to sell Timo Werner next season
- Revealed: Max Allegri passed up the chance to manage Chelsea in 2019
- Glen Johnson questions Chelsea turnaround under Thomas Tuchel
With Phillips back in the side, Leeds are far more dangerous. Chelsea will definitely need to be on their toes to tackle a talent like him. It is very likely to be a tricky game for Chelsea but with the form behind Thomas Tuchel & co., it shouldn’t be much of an issue.