---
title: "Leeds: Patrick Vieira critical of Kalvin Phillips after England draw"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-patrick-vieira-critical-of-kalvin-phillips-after-england-draw/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2021-06-20T17:05:59Z"
modified: "2021-06-20T17:05:59Z"
---

# Leeds: Patrick Vieira critical of Kalvin Phillips after England draw

**Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has been critical of Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips following England’s 0-0 draw against Scotland.**

### The Lowdown: Phillips struggles in stalemate

Phillips was Man of the Match in the Three Lions’ tournament opener last weekend, shining in midfield as his country beat Croatia 1-0 at Wembley and being [hailed](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/gareth-southgate-issues-kalvin-phillips-with-enormous-praise-after-leeds-united-star-excels-for-england-3271405) as ‘immense’ by manager Gareth Southgate.

The 25-year-old was less effective in Friday’s stalemate with Scotland, however, failing to stamp his usual authority on proceedings on a disappointing night.

It was a team performance which has [received much criticism](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12335759/hits-and-misses-england-lose-feelgood-factor-in-scotland-draw), but a number of individuals have also been getting some negative press.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359346″\]

### The Latest: Vieira criticises Leeds hero

Speaking on [ITV Sport](https://www.itv.com/hub/itv) \[via [MOT Leeds News](https://motleedsnews.com/news/patrick-vieira-slams-kalvin-phillips-performance-at-euros/)\], Vieira felt that Phillips was too cautious on the ball against Scotland, along with midfield colleague Declan Rice. The [three-time Premier League winner](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-vieira/erfolge/spieler/3183) said:

> “I think when you look at England, they’re in a good place but if you ask ‘why don’t they create good chances’, I believe the holding midfielders, Rice and Phillips, are both ball-winners, it’s not their strength to be good with the ball.
>
> “I think there’s a lack of creativity, a lack of seeing the game really quick and trying to find players between the lines. Too many passes backwards and safe passes sideways.
>
> “They didn’t take enough risks.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-copy-2/)

### The Verdict: Unfair negativity

While Phillips was somewhat below-par against Scotland ([no shots or key passes, only one successful tackle](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1513468/LiveStatistics/International-European-Championship-2020-England-Scotland)), it is unfair by Vieira to suggest that he is a limited footballer in terms of his quality on the ball.

The Leeds ace averaged [1.2 key passes](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/270446/Show/Kalvin-Phillips) per game in the Premier League last season, excelling in a deep-lying role, and he has [scored 13 goals and registered 12 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/alletore/spieler/351749) for the Whites.

Hopefully he will retain his place against the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening, showing the world what a top-class midfielder he truly is and proving that the night against Scotland was a rare off-day.

***In other news, Leeds are reportedly ‘confident’ of signing one player this summer. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-whites-confident-of-signing-youngster-amari-miller/).***