Kalvin Phillips comments on rejecting local rivals for Leeds United

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Kalvin Phillips has been named the Yorkshire Evening Post player of the year at Leeds United. As a result of the accolade, he was interviewed by the paper. Plenty of conversation followed about Phillips time at Leeds and form this season.

He also spoke of how he could have been at another West Yorkshire club. Phillips explained that he had a trial at local rivals Huddersfield Town. Clearly, however, he was never interested.

“As soon as I went there, I thought ‘I don’t like it. It’s not for me’. I was growing up around Leeds and I idolised Leeds. I went to Huddersfield and thought it was a good chance but I got there and felt like I didn’t really fancy it.

“A couple of weeks later I went to Leeds and I haven’t looked back.”

TBR’s View

There is no doubt that his passion for Leeds is clearly on show now. The idea of Phillips lining up in blue and white stripes now seems absurd.

Clearly, even as a youngster, Phillips felt the same.

He has been turned into a pivotal player under Marcelo Bielsa. From being on the fence, Leeds United fans are near-universal in their praise for the 23-year-old.

Leeds have also had to put up with rumours of Phillips potentially leaving the club throughout the season. Tentative links have followed, with Southampton the latest side said to be keen, as reported by The Sun (14/04/2019; pg 61). A £20 million fee was even mentioned.

However, Phillips is clearly Leeds through and through. Managing to pry him away from Elland Road would be a big coup for any side. Leeds will hope any interest will feel as foreign to him now as it did at Huddersfield all those years ago.