It’s impossible to deny that Kalvin Phillips is one of Leeds United’s most important players.
The midfielder has previously been hailed as the best player in the Championship, and it’s not hard to see why.
The Yorkshire Pirlo is an impressive talent, and you don’t get touted for an England call-up while playing in the Championship if you’re not a special player.
However, what shouldn’t be underestimated is how much Phillips’ presence can lift the performances of his teammates.
The 24-year-old plays a very important role in Bielsa’s system usually occupying the holding midfield spot in his traditional 4-1-4-1 formation, providing cover for the backline.
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However when he isn’t in the team the rest of the side have increased defensive responsibility, and that limits certain players’ talents.
One of those men is certainly Mateusz Klich.
The stats show that Klich is simply a more effective player when Phillips is on the pitch.
The 24-year-old has missed four games recently, three through suspension and one through injury, and whenever Phillips isn’t in the team you can see how Klich has to modify his game to be a much less potent attacking threat.
That’s not what you want from a man who directly contributed to 19 goals last term through a combination of goals and assists.
Klich has assisted three goals in the last four games he’s started alongside Phillips, but when his partner hasn’t been there his creativity has suffered, playing just 1.75 key passes per game without him compared to 3 per game when he’s recently played with him.
His defensive output is increased, making twice as many tackles per game without Phillips than with him, but as we mentioned earlier, that’s not where the Polish midfielder’s strengths are.
The Pole is at his best when he’s taking the game by the scruff of the neck and attacking teams whether that be through his brilliant eye for goal or his scintillating playmaking abilities, but those attributes have to take a backseat when Phillips isn’t available for selection.
In other news, there could be one huge casualty if Leeds go up this season.