Marcelo Bielsa reacts to Kalvin Phillips’ display in Leeds loss at West Ham

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Marcelo Bielsa has suggested that he felt that Kalvin Phillips was one of Leeds United’s best performers on Monday, insisting that he made no mistakes against West Ham – in comments reported by Leeds Live.

It proved to be a hugely frustrating night for the Whites. Leeds made two big mistakes during the first-half at the London Stadium.

And despite creating a raft of chances, the visitors were unable to get themselves back into the contest.

Some players struggled for Bielsa’s side. But one member of the squad who did step up was Phillips.

The holding midfielder was making his return to the side after a few weeks out with injury. But he showed few signs of rust.

And following the game, Bielsa suggested that Phillips was one of the players who can hold his head up high.

“Very good,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live, when asked about Phillips. “It’s very difficult to play the way Kalvin played today after being out for a month. He didn’t commit any errors in the general line. I saw him defend well and I didn’t see him make mistakes with the ball.

“Perhaps at the start of the game he was a decisive factor in that we played so well at the beginning. In the second half he gave balance to the team. I don’t have it clear yet that in that 30 minutes where we dominate if he was a factor in this or if that he declined, but the feeling I have is that he was one of the best players for us in the game.”

Leeds certainly benefitted from having Phillips back in the side. In the last few weeks, they have looked a lot more vulnerable through the middle.

Pascal Struijk has been a revelation this season. But he could not make anything like the same impact as the 25-year-old when deployed in that midfield role.

Ultimately, he was unable to inspire Leeds to a victory on Monday. But, as Bielsa suggests, Phillips should be extremely happy with his contribution upon his return.