The evolution of Kalvin Phillips under Marcelo Bielsa - in their own words
The Leeds United midfielder has established himself as one of the key players under the Argentine this season
Kalvin Phillips has reinvented himself under Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa has been at Leeds United for almost six months and the Whites look almost unrecognisable compared to the side that limped to a 13th place finish last season.
With limited activity in the summer transfer window, Bielsa has got his side playing some of the most attractive football in the Championship as they sit second in the table with 20 games in the books.
One of the key narratives this season is just how much of an improvement Bielsa has got out of several members of Leeds' existing squad.
Matuesz Klich has come back from the wilderness of a loan spell in Holland last season to become a fixture in the midfield, Kemar Roofe has gone from splitting his time on the wing and up front to become one of the Championship's most potent strikers, while Liam Cooper's performances in the heart of defence have contributed to Leeds having one of the best back-lines in the division.
But if you were handing out a most-improved player award for the season now, Kalvin Phillips would likely get the nod.
The Thorp Arch product has been shifted back by Bielsa, playing either just in front of the defence or as a part of the back-line and is playing the best football of his career in this new role.
But how has Phillips, who turned 23 at the weekend, managed to transform his game so quickly? And what do the stats say about his new role? We've taken a look...
The adaption
"It's been difficult at the start when I first tried it," Phillips told LUTV about his initial reaction to the changes Bielsa wanted to make.
"The manager said that he wanted me to play there and I was a bit surprised by I think I took to it quite well.
"I'm finding it easier to get on the ball, I get a lot of the ball which I like. Confined passes, so it's good."
Bielsa watched every one of Phillips' performances from last season before arriving in Leeds.
Phillips began last season in a much more advanced role and would net seven times over the course of the campaign, a tally he does not look like beating this year.
"Last season I obviously played more attacking and when the manager came in and said I want you to play as the number four, I was like 'how come?' but I took to it quite well and I just need to work on my defensive attributes more and hopefully I'll keep getting better."
Bielsa has a track record of converting midfielders into defenders, as he looks to utilise their passing ability to build from the back in what is an integral part of his playing style - something he elaborated on last month.
"Usually, the defensive midfielder is the third centre-back of the team," said the Leeds head coach. "So when a defensive midfielder plays as a centre-back he does actions he is used to.
Phillips is playing in a far deeper position this season
"One thing is to take a decision when you know you have three team-mates behind you, the goalkeeper and the two centre-backs, and another thing is to take a decision knowing you only have one team-mate behind you.
"You see sometimes the defensive midfielders try to recover the ball without being sure they will be able to recover the ball. The centre-back doesn't take these risks."
How the sweeper role works at Leeds
With Phillips now settled into his new role, 20 games into the new season he is getting a better grasp of the in-game specifics Bielsa wants him to do.
"When Coops or Pontus are one-vs-one, I'm basically the sweeper, so if the ball goes over their heads or if there's a free man in here I go and press and then Coops and Pontus cover round.
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