Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw has revealed that he and fellow star Kalvin Phillips have been left stunned over how successful Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to move the latter into the heart of defence has been.
The Argentine manager has seen injury and suspension force his hand at changing his side up this season and Wednesday’s clash versus Ipswich was no different, with Pontus Jansson’s ban leaving him struggling to fill the void at the back.
It was Phillips who stepped into the role to work in a back three and it was a successful move, but one which has left both the versatile midfielder and fellow central figure Forshaw seriously surprised, with the former Middlesbrough man heralding it as a stroke of genius.
He told Leeds Live: “If I’m honest, no (I didn’t see it coming).
“It’s a bit of a masterstroke isn’t it? I think Kalvin would say the same. He’s surprised. But from day one in training that’s why he played. Didn’t never play him anywhere else. It’s great that it’s paying dividends.”
“He was magnificent tonight, spraying it left and right. He’s a young lad as well, he’s only going to get better. He’s a really good lad as well around the place. I’m pleased for him.”
Opinion
Some would have been left questioning the judgement of Bielsa to throw the figure of Phillips into a central defensive role but the former Lille man showed why he is one of the most revered coaches in all of world football. It really was a brilliant decision and one which bought the best out of not just the player but the team. Having that presence at the back to pick out a pass and keep possession from the defence was crucial to their game plan against Ipswich and now that Bielsa knows it is a success he could well employ it against other sides. This is not to say that Phillips is a better centre back than a defender but it seems as though Bielsa is thinking that way and the player himself may have to come to accept his new role if he wants to continue picking up first team action. With how well he performed, he is hardly going to argue, but this was against a side sitting bottom of the table. How is he going to do when a high flying side come to Elland Road? Only time will tell.