Paul Ince reacts to Kalvin Phillips’ display in Leeds draw

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Paul Ince has told Sky Sports (broadcast on 25/4; 16:11) that no English midfielder has impressed him more this season than Kalvin Phillips following his display in Leeds United’s draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

Phillips was outstanding as Leeds earned a point at Elland Road. No player made more tackles than the 25-year-old, who made eight challenges during the game (Whoscored).

Remarkably, he won every single tackle he went in for. He also managed three key passes in the stalemate. Once again, none of his Leeds teammates could match that tally.

It was a performance that saw plenty of Whites supporters laud the academy graduate on social media. And it appears that Ince agrees with those heaping plaudits on Phillips.

Following the draw, Ince outlined just how impressed he had been by the England international over the course of the campaign.

“I’ve looked at a lot of English midfield players this year and no one’s impressed me more than Kalvin Phillips,” he told Sky Sports. “Playing in that position myself, he’s got all of the attributes you want to have to be a top, top, world-class midfield player.

“He looked disinterested, Fernandes, only because the presence that Phillips put on top of him. You have to be disciplined in doing that. Sometimes, you have to forsake your own performance to snuff him out.”

Like several of his teammates, Phillips has been a revelation at the highest level. He has not looked out of place for club or country since the start of this season.

And some of his best performances have come against some of the better teams in the division. He was colossal when Leeds had 10 men at Manchester City.

And once again, he more than stepped up when paired with one of the Premier League’s most devastating players over the last 16 months.