Former top flight manager Alex McLeish has made a claim regarding Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Marsch’s first comments
New Whites manager Jesse Marsch admitted before his first game in charge of the club that he wanted Phillips to take on a ‘bigger role’ at Thorp Arch, describing it as ‘massively important’.
The 26-year-old, who Aston Villa are monitoring ahead of a possible summer swoop, has been out injured since December but is making good progress after undergoing hamstring surgery.
Phillips has missed the last 12 Premier League games, with Leeds losing nine of those, leaving them just two points clear of the relegation zone.
The Latest: McLeish’s comments
McLeish, who contributes for BBC Radio 5 Live, was asked by Football Insider what a ‘bigger role’ could mean.
“Phillips was playing at an exceptionally high standard before his injury. What else they can get out of him I don’t know.
“Is he a talker? Is he a leader behind the scenes? Maybe he wants him to add some little things.
“One thing I can tell you is that he is not talking about footballing reasons. It will be a mentality thing.
“Perhaps he wants him to be more vociferous with the players. Some players are quiet these days.
“I’m not sure exactly what Jesse means. One thing is for sure, it is clear Phillips has been badly missed. It was a world of pain for Bielsa when he was missing those players.”
The Verdict: Return needed
Leeds need their best players available for the final months of the season and look set to have Phillips available very soon after the club’s teasing official post of the midfielder in action at Thorp Arch on Wednesday.
Patrick Bamford is another who has been sorely missed in recent months, with Marsch set to call upon the forward against Aston Villa and Norwich.
The likes of Phillips and Bamford could prove key in regards to the club’s hopes of survival, and a ‘bigger role’ at Elland Road will more than likely follow for the midfielder if he stars over the coming months.
In other news: Phil Hay drops huge Leeds news from Thorp Arch before Villa.