The three best performing Leeds players of 2019

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Leeds United have had a rollercoaster 2019 with plenty of ups and downs, but they are finishing it optimistically and in good shape to finally try escape the Championship next year.

Marcelo Bielsa’s team have played some eye-catching football that has lit up the second-tier at times and supporters adore their manager.

The Whites were top of the league going into 2019, but a drop off in form saw them slip into the play-offs for last season and eventually crash out to Derby County in the semi-finals.

They have launched another promotion bid in the second half of the year in the new season and approaching the halfway stage they look in pole position to go up with West Brom.

Here is a look at the three outstanding Leeds stars that have been the best of 2019:

Kiko Casilla

Casilla moved to Elland Road in January 2019 and is closing in on a full year in Yorkshire, which is quite the contrast from his time at Real Madrid.

Aside from a disappointing performance in the play-offs back in May, it’s been an excellent individual campaign for him and he’s really got to grips with English football.

The 33-year-old Spaniard is an experienced shot-stopper that has incredible reflexes and has made a handful of world-class interventions throughout the year to save his team.

His form really has gone up a level during the second half of the year in the 2019/20 season and he’s a big driving force behind the promotion bid.

Casilla has kept clean sheets for fun in a Leeds shirt and has proven to be a masterstroke signing considering he was a free transfer (BBC).

Kalvin Phillips

Phillips is a no-brainer to be in the top three Leeds players and everything good goes through him.

On the rare occasions that he’s been absent for the Whites, they haven’t looked the same and he’s the general on the pitch for Bielsa.

The deep-lying playmaker pulls the strings for Leeds from the defensive midfield position and drops right into the backline when required.

The 24-year-old has taken another huge step forward in the calendar year in terms of the way he dictates play and his influence on the Leeds team, which is why he simply has to earn promotion this season to be playing in the top-flight next year.

Ben White

White only moved to Elland Road in the summer on loan from Premier League side Brighton, but his performances have been so impressive this season that he should be ranked in the top three Leeds players of the year.

The centre-back has been the standout Whites star this campaign with his displays in defence and fans should enjoy him while he can, as it would be no surprise to see him play at the elite level.

It’s most telling that Leeds have not missed Pontus Jansson in the slightest since White’s arrival and he’s now the class act in the defence, while his partnership next to captain Liam Cooper has been formidable.

Honourable mentions: Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling, Patrick Bamford