Leeds boss Bielsa insists Phillips making good progress

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Leeds boss Bielsa insists Phillips making good progress

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa insists he's happy with the progress of Kalvin Phillips.

Phillips has proved a key figure in Leeds' Bielsa-inspired resurgence since the Argentinian arrived in the summer of 2018 and talks with the midfielder's representatives over a new long-term deal are ongoing.

Phillips has won 19 England caps since making his debut in September 2020 and Bielsa said: "Kalvin has obtained a prestige that allows him to have bigger influence in the games and his team-mates perceive that capacity.

"He's improved a lot in the moments of a game and he knows how to find a solution that each action demands.

"He's matured a lot in his interpretation to take the best solution.

"Kalvin is playing at very, very high levels and has shown that the responsibility doesn't inhibit him – it improves him."

Phillips' performances saw him voted England's Player of the Year by fans and Bielsa added: "To be a star in the team that competes in a team which lost the final of the Euros on penalties, to belong to that collective is very, very difficult. But Kalvin did it."