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Photo by Shaun Botterill - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Botterill - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

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‘Very impressed’: PL chairman claims Leeds have a player who’s proved himself to be ‘elite’

Jordan Harris
Jordan Harris

Andrea Radrizzani that he has been very proud of how Kalvin Phillips has performed at Euro 2020, insisting that the Leeds star has shown himself to be an elite player for England.

It has been an amazing summer for the 25-year-old. He went into the tournament with many imploring Gareth Southgate not to pick both him and Declan Rice together in midfield.

Photo by Justin Tallis - Pool/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Tallis – Pool/Getty Images

Southgate ignored the noise. And Phillips silenced the critics within one performance. He was outstanding against Croatia, setting up the only goal as England immediately put one foot in the knockout stages.

He has continued that form since. And now England are preparing for the final against Italy.

Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Obviously, for someone like Leeds chairman Radrizzani, any outcome of the final will be bittersweet.

He insisted that he wants Italy to win. But he went on to outline just how impressed he has been by Phillips.

“I’ve been very impressed with Kalvin Phillips’s performances,” . “He’s proven to be an elite player and we are very proud he is representing Leeds United.

“It’s great to see a lad from Leeds have such an influential role. I am sure it will be an amazing final, in a phenomenal stadium, and I will feel truly privileged to be there.”

Leeds fans vindicated at Euro 2020 for all the times they felt compelled to defend Kalvin Phillips

Leeds supporters have not been surprised by what they have seen from Phillips at Euro 2020. In fact, many have been predicting this run of form for months now.

The academy graduate has been the fulcrum of the Whites side since Marcelo Bielsa arrived at Elland Road. And he proved last season that he is more than good enough to shine in the Premier League.

Perhaps England fans were reluctant to accept both Rice and Phillips due to the quality the Three Lions have in attack. Neither Jack Grealish or Phil Foden played a minute of the quarter-final, for example.

But Rice and Phillips are about as important as any partnership within the current England side.

If they can win the midfield battle on Sunday, Southgate’s men have an amazing chance.