Kalvin Phillips praises display of Pascal Struijk and explains what he likes about centre-back role

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Kalvin Phillips has been speaking about slotting into a centre-back role for the clash with Burnley yesterday, admitting he is happy to fulfill the role. 

The England international also praised the performance of Pascal Struijk, who stepped in for injured captain Liam Cooper at Elland Road. 

Phillips slotted into a back three alongside Struijk and Luke Ayling as they looked to counter Burnley’s two-man attack. 

He performed well in the role, a position Marcelo Bielsa immediately identified him as capable of filling upon his arrival at the club in 2018. 

Phillips admitted that there are certain aspects of playing in the back-line he enjoys whilst also praising the young Dutchman Struijk for his commanding and composed presence at the back. 

“I don’t mind it, I get a lot of the ball,” Phillips told the Leeds United website. “I’m a defensive midfielder, so I like seeing the game in front of me as well.

“I enjoyed it, but I obviously like to play in my normal role as much as possible.

“With me coming in and playing at centre-half and Pascal Struijk coming in and doing very well, it is good for the back four/five that we have got a clean sheet and especially our goalkeeper Illan Meslier as well, so we are very happy.”

Struijk certainly added a physical presence to the Leeds United backline that has sometimes been lacking when Cooper has been paired with the currently injured German international Robin Koch. 

With Diego Llorente suffering a setback in his own recovery, Leeds might have to rely on the Dutch talent a little while longer.

Clearly, Phillips is happy to do just that.