Leeds United
Tony Dorigo explains why Leeds star Kalvin Phillips is better than West Ham United ace
Tony Dorigo has told LUTV that he believes Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is better than West Ham United star Declan Rice amid competition between the two stars at England level – and ahead of Friday night’s clash between the two sides.
Phillips, 24, has been excellent for Leeds since the Whites gained promotion to the Premier League. Having already broken into the England side beforehand, Phillips has become a regular for the Three Lions with his performances for Leeds in the top tier.
At England level, the £30,000-a-week (Mirror) star is a rival for Rice when it comes to Gareth Southgate picking his central midfielders. Both will be on show at Elland Road on Friday evening, in a duel that could determine who is the better player.
While Rice is probably better defensively given he is just as good at centre-back and Phillips is more technically-gifted – ex-Leeds and England man Dorigo thinks Phillips is the better player when comparing the duo.
(Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
“Very good player,” Dorigo said. “Excellent holding-midfield player. There is talk he might eventually be a centre-back, good engine, good leader. Is he as good as Kalvin Phillips in holding midfield? No.
TBR’s view – Who is better?
They are slightly different players and while they play in the same position, making a comparision between the two is easy. If you want a defensive holding midfield player, Rice is your man – especially as he can offer cover at centre-back.
But if you want a player to dictate possession and act as a deep-lying playmaker, setting up attacks from midfield – then Phillips is your man. Perhaps Southgate should consider combining both Phillips and Rice in midfield.
(Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
