Derby centre-back Curtis Davies has said that Leeds’ midfielder Kalvin Phillips is a “phenomenal” player and should be knocking on the door of the England team.
Phillips put in another masterful display in the defensive midfield position on Tuesday night as Leeds beat Reading 3-0 to go back to the top of the table.
And Davies was impressed. Talking on the latest episode of the Debate podcast on Sky Sports, Davies had nothing but praise for the 23-year-old.
Asked whether Phillips should be in the England squad Davies said, “You never used to see players from the Championship getting in the England squad, whether they’re playing week in, week out or scoring lots of goals, whatever.
“But Kalvin Phillips has been brilliant in that role, like Fernandinho, for Leeds. The way they’re like the flying arrows, two centre-halves and Phillips, and the ground he covers and the work he puts in is phenomenal.
“When you’ve got the England squad and you’re looking at Declan Rice, it’s tough, but he has been brilliant. In the Championship you need to be outstanding to get anywhere near it.”
OPINION
Frank Lampard might not like one of his players praising a Leeds man, but Davies is spot on with this. Phillips has to be on Gareth Southgate’s radar and we think he’s going to absolutely thrive in the Premier League if Leeds get promoted. Despite winning five of their last six, though, there’s no let-up at the top. Leeds might be top but Norwich can reclaim that spot with a win on Wednesday night and Leeds play Sheffield United in a season-defining game on Saturday. Phillips has been a rock for Leeds this season, breaking up play, and for him to be mentioned in the same breath as Fernandinho and Declan Rice is testament to how good he’s been. It will be tough to break into the England team with Rice declaring for Southgate’s side, but he could definitely make the squad. That might well get easier if Leeds get promoted too.