A lot of Leeds fans have been panicking that they won’t be able to get the most out of having Marcelo Bielsa in charge if they don’t make some signings, however, the Argentine gaffer may not need signings with the way he sets his side up. Kalvin Phillips played at centre-back in a pre-season friendly win at Forest Green and he’s been talking to The Yorkshire Evening Post about it.
Kalvin Phillips talks Bielsa, fitness and playing at centre-back after Tuesday's friendly win at Forest Green:https://t.co/2UFUjJKLC8
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 19, 2018
Bielsa often comes into a club and looks to bend the way they play. His ability to implement flexible and fluidity in the way a side play football is unmatched and it was all there to see on Tuesday evening. Phillips played as a deep defensive midfielder and dropped back to form a three-at-the-back system when The Whites fullback’s, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas, pushed forward.
It looks like Phillips will be trusted with this role in the long-term and it’s convinced a number of fans that actually Bielsa doesn’t need to go above and beyond and splash millions in the transfer market to make the current crop of Leeds players successful. If the Argentine gaffer can continue to improve his squad’s fitness levels and tactically awareness then there’s truly no telling how far he can take this side, despite the fact the Elland Road faithful had written them off a couple of months ago.
You can read the fans’ verdict on Phillips at centre-back and Bielsa here:
As crazy as it sounds… I think @Kalvinphillips could do a job at CB… keeping possession and playing the ball from the back… could be a clever move
— Jay Prior (@JLP0302) 19 July 2018
Interesting stuff. Not everyones cup of tea but I like Phillips, hope this defensive midfielder/third CB role can give him some consistency
— Hock (@FootballPeters) July 19, 2018
Top lad KP good attitude and works hard can see him improving big time this season
— Danny (@DannyBoy1da) 19 July 2018
Think Philips could absorb in the same way as Coady at Wolves tbh but a CB must be a priority as Cooper and Janson are our only 2 options other than Connor tbh
— Browns comcleaning (@BComcleaning) July 19, 2018
Kalvin Mascherano Pineapple Phillips
— . (@LeedsYunited) July 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/RLinden94/status/1019848924419510273
Just from the handful of tweets above you can see that the fans aren’t against Phillips at centre-back and they’ll be keen to see what else Bielsa can bring to this squad.
