Former England boss Steve McClaren on what makes Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips stand out and why he may need to wait for Gareth Southgate's call

Kalvin Phillips has been linked with an England call-up
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Former England head coach Steve McClaren has praised Kalvin Phillips' ability but believes he needs to step up into the Premier League to boost his international credentials.

Reports emerged earlier this week that the United midfielder could be set for a shock inclusion in Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad next month.

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Phillips has played a key role for the Whites over the last two seasons under Marcelo Bielsa's guidance sitting in front of the back four in their search for promotion to the top flight.

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips. (Image: Bruce Rollinson)Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips. (Image: Bruce Rollinson)
Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips. (Image: Bruce Rollinson)

As part of their preparations for this summer's European Championships, England will take on Italy at Wembley on Friday, March 27 before also taking on Denmark in the capital on Tuesday, March 31.

Boss Southgate has attended Elland Road to cast an eye over the 24-year-old on a number of occasions, with his most recent visit seeing the Whites defeated by Sheffield Wednesday last month.

McClaren - who was England manager for 18 months fourteen years ago - says that despite being a huge fan of Phillips he believes he needs to make the step into the Premier League first.

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"England are struggling for that position in which we call a controller," he told Sky Sports News.

"He (Phillips) sits in front of the back four. But the key thing is controllers always used to be protecting, destroying and a simple passer.

"He's different. He's a screener and a destroyer, but he intercepts in front of the back four and he plays forward.

"All good midfield players play forward. They win it and look forward and take risks to do that. All midfield players - sixes, eights or 10s - they need to be creative.

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"He picks the ball up in between the two centre-backs and he can play that pass. Not many players in England have perfected that position and been so effective where they can do all three.

"At Championship level that's what he's doing.

"He occasionally drops back into a back three so he's shown defensively he's got that kind of a head. In terms of on the ball he can play forward and play passes long or short and be creative."

Asked about whether he could see Southgate giving Phillips a call-up whilst plying his trade in the Championship, he said: "He needs to play in the Premier League first.

"He needs to get up with Leeds. He needs to be effective in that position and show he can handle that.

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"In that position it's not so much a priority in the Premier League, more in the Championship. In that position you need to be a little bit more mobile in the Premier League.

"It's not just a six, there's usually a double six where you have to be more mobile and more effective. I've seen him do that.

"In the last couple of years under Bielsa he's been a sitter, controller and dominated the game. In the Premier League I don't think he'd be able to do that as much. I'll be interested to see that.

"The step up to England is phenomenal in terms of mentality, physically and mobility. He's got the credentials, he's got the ability, the talent and he's maturing. He's got to make that step."

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McClaren also admitted he would rarely consider players from the second tier when he was in charge of the national team.

"It was always Premier League. We had to see them in that environment," he revealed.

"Yes, occasionally once or twice players when there were injuries. [David] Nugent when he was at Preston came into the squad.

"But generally you're looking at Premier League and European experience along with maturity."