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Alex Mowatt how delighted he has been to watch Kalvin Phillips develop into an England international, insisting that the Leeds United midfielder has been ridiculous in the last few years.
Had Leeds fans been asked after the end of the 2014/15 campaign which of their academy prospects looked most likely to play for the Three Lions in the future, it seems likely that most would have said Lewis Cook with Mowatt the next most obvious candidate.
Cook has, of course, made his bow for his country. But rather than Mowatt, or latterly Ronaldo Vieira, it was Phillips who forced his way into the fold.
The 25-year-old has been a revelation since Marcelo Bielsa’s appointment at Elland Road. The conversion to a holding midfielder proved to be a masterstroke.
And his form was so impressive in the Championship that he made his England debut before he had actually played in the Premier League.
Phillips now has six caps under his belt. And Mowatt insisted that he could not be happier for his former teammate.
“I’m so happy for him,” . “He’s done unbelievable. I think since Bielsa’s come in, he’s been ridiculous and he got’s Leeds promoted as well.
“Rightly so, he’s been called up to the England squad. Every game I’ve watched and I’m buzzing for him and I think he’s done really well in the games as well.”
Phillips has not looked out of place in the top flight or on the international stage. That is an amazing accomplishment given that he was so often overshadowed by the likes of Cook, Mowatt and Vieira in the years before Bielsa’s arrival.
The quartet all have the talent to enjoy incredible careers. But for the last couple of years, it has been Phillips who has really stolen the show.