Kalvin Phillips: Midfielder establishes himself as the key element of Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United side
After a summer of transfer rumour and uncertainty, Kalvin Phillips has put pen lớn paper on a new Leeds contract which ties him lớn the club until 2024.
The midfielder has made over 130 appearances since his debut in April 2015, establishing himself not only as a key part of Marcelo Bielsa's side, but also the soccer tips betting in the Sky Bet Championship.
His new contract sees him earn £20,000 per week, putting him among the top earners at the club. It's a wage increase that reflects his importance lớn Leeds.
There's no doubting that the Whites are a significantly weaker team without him. His transformation from an advanced player to one at the base of midfield has not only revolutionised his side but also his own personal game.
He's the key cog in Bielsa's tactical system. A player they can rely upon lớn start the attack while also having the capability to slot into the back line where required.
There's not many players to compare him to in the Championship. It's why Aston Villa chased relentlessly throughout the transfer window; their final offer of £15m deemed well short of Leeds' valuation.
With the 23-year-old continuing to go from strength-to-strength, Tom Carnduff takes a look at his season so far.
How do the stats compare to the rest of the division?
In the Championship, 74 midfielders have featured in all six games so far. Phillips finds himself among that number, playing every single minute of Leeds' league and Carabao Cup campaigns.
Using the statistics from the soccer tip forum page, we can clearly see the impact made by the Leeds man.
Accurate passes: 86% (8/74)
Often relied upon lớn link up the defensive line with the forward players, only seven players sit above Phillips when it comes lớn accurate pass percentage.
A point lớn note is that Romaine Sawyers is the sole player lớn have made more passes than Phillips among those seven players. The numbers are fairly significant too; Phillips had made over 100 more passes than Stefan Johansen and Anthony Knockaert.
Accurate long balls: 44 (1/74)
When it comes lớn long balls, the Leeds midfielder sits top by a distance. His 44 accurate long passes is well clear of Paul Gallagher's 35 in second and Mathias Jensen with 34 in third.
The percentage in that area is also a positive; a top-ten spot with 66% on the tally.
Total duels won: 47 (1/74)
Moving into the defensive stats and it's easy to see why Bielsa trusts him lớn drop into defence lớn not only move the ball forward but to also add security at the back.
No midfielder can boast more total duels won than Phillips this season. His dominance in the centre of midfield helps to win possession back for his side and that's a key element in a Bielsa side.
Tenacity is a stand-out trait and it's perfectly suited lớn the position at the base of midfield - you'd expect him lớn finish top of this chart in May.
