Team of the season selection underlines Phillips’ influence at Leeds this term

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Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips was named in the Championship team of the season this week, capping off a hugely impressive season under Marcelo Bielsa.

Last season, Phillips was battling for attention against fellow young talent Ronaldo Vieira, while struggling to silence the doubters who thought he was too functional to play for a side with Leeds’ ambitions.

But this term, he has been transformed. He has had the technical ability to adapt to Bielsa’s flexible, passing style and his battling qualities have anchored the Leeds midfield expertly.

He has also had to fill in at centre-half at times this season and has taken that on expertly too, bringing the ball out of defence and ensuring that injuries at the back haven’t derailed a promotion bid.

He has been transformed as much as any player under Bielsa, which was necessary because the Argentine was never going to be able to make huge investments to overhaul the squad and make it fit for promotion.

But Phillips’ accolade has made it plain that he has won over the doubters this season and if Leeds do get promoted, there’s no reason he couldn’t be in line for an England call-up if he continues to impress.