[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…ÂLeeds’ campaign has got off to a steady start and they remain unbeaten after their first three matches of the season.The Whites won their opening match and then drew against Nottingham Forest but bounced back against Salford on Tuesday evening.Bielsa rotated his side to a degree but there was still room for Kalvin Phillips, a player due to open contract negotiations over his future.In a game where Leeds did less defending, it meant a new role for the 23-year-old.
On the chalkboard
To gather an understanding of just where Phillips played, we need to take a look at his heat map as provided by stats expert LUFC Data.
As can be seen, the midfielder offered an effective screening in front of the back four as he usually does, but he also did a lot of his work higher up the pitch, demonstrating his ability to take on a new role.
Although playing as high up as an attacking midfielder behind the striker seems far-fetched, there was certainly evidence of Phillips’ qualities as a box-to-box man.
He remained tight and compact in the middle of the pitch but instead of just sitting, he got forward at regular intervals, making a career-high 128 passes.
That was perhaps indicative of the 62% of possession Marcelo Bielsa’s side had but it should tell the Argentine a lot about Phillips.
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In 2018/19, he was trusted to play in defence on occasion but this proves there is an extra layer to his game and that he can get forward.
Playing as a number six, he completed 99 passes as Leeds sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory.
This offers the potential for Bielsa to play him in a new position when Leeds come up against defensive opposition, allowing him a free role to roam further up the field.
Against Forest last weekend, his side played 13 key passes but only scored once.
Perhaps pushing someone like Phillips on as they did in midweek would have beneficial.
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