Former Leeds United favourite Jermaine Beckford has heaped praise on Kalvin Phillips, describing him as a "vitally important" player.

The Whites returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Friday evening, winning 2-1 away to Fulham and going up to 11th in the table.

Marcelo Bielsa's side played some lovely football at Craven Cottage, with goals from Patrick Bamford and Raphinha earning them all three points.

[freshpress-quiz id=“347980"]

Phillips, valued at £24.3m by Transfermarkt, was once again a standout performer, proving to be a dominant presence in Leeds' midfield, impressing both on and off the ball.

Beckford hails influential Phillips

The 25-year-old has many admirers, but someone who waxed lyrical about him before the Fulham game was ex-Whites striker Beckford.

Speaking on Sky Sports [via MOT Leeds News], he outlined precisely why he thinks so highly of Phillips, both as a footballer and as a person:

“Kalvin Phillips is one of those players that knits everything together in the middle of the field. He helps the defensive side of things when the game breaks down, and he also gives the attacking players, the wide players, the freedom to express themselves and go forward with no restrictions.

“He’s vitally important. He always finds himself in the right place at the right time. He doesn’t get pulled out of position very easily either, and his first thought is always ‘how can I get back and get the ball safely, and without giving away a free kick, and once I do that can I pop it off to somebody whose going to create some sort of chances’.

“I’m his biggest, biggest fan, aside from his mum. He’s a lovely person off the field as well, and you can see what he means to Leeds and what Leeds means to him by his performances.

“He gives everything he has for the club.”

Transfer Tavern take

Beckford is spot on in his assessment, with Phillips arguably the first name on Bielsa's team-sheet. That will always be a subjective topic, but there is no denying that he is one of the most influential performers at the club.

The midfielder has not only proven his quality in the Premier League, but also at international level, with a place in England's Euro 2020 squad looking likely.

In other news, Phil Hay has provided a key update on the future of one Leeds star. Read more about it here.