Add as preferred source on Google

Paul Merson has raved about Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips for his performances last season, as well as claiming he should get a chance for England in the next few days.

The 24-year-old has been drafted into the senior Three Lions squad by manager Gareth Southgate for Nations League fixtures against Iceland and Denmark.

There is a chance he could make his international debut before he kicks a ball in the Premier League, as he’s yet to get that chance following Leeds’ promotion to the top-flight last season.

He was instrumental for the Yorkshire giants sat in front of the back four as defensive cover, as well as being the guy that dictates possession and gets them playing.

Pundit Merson was thoroughly impressed by the Leeds-born midfielder during the last campaign and suggests he’s earned his spot in the international squad.

“Kalvin Phillips should get a game too. He was ripping it up last year, sticking out like a sore thumb for Leeds. But why not pick him then [for England]?” Merson wrote in the Daily Star.

“I was pleased for him but I thought he could have been picked earlier. I hope he hasn’t been picked just because Leeds are suddenly in the Premier League.”

TBR’s View:

Aside from Ben White at Elland Road last season, Phillips arguably had the biggest impact on the pitch for Leeds in their title-winning campaign in the Championship and everyone is excited about the prospect of watching him in the Premier League.

His call-up to the national team came as a surprise to many, but those who watched Championship football will have seen he was the heartbeat of the Leeds team last season.

Declan Rice appears to the frontrunner in the England picture for the defensive midfield role and he’s an all-action player, but Phillips has impressed as a deep-lying playmaker during the last couple of years at Elland Road and has been learning from one of the best in Marcelo Bielsa.