Kalvin Phillips predicts many more Leeds United England internationals to follow as midfielder reflects on first Three Lions call

KALVIN Phillips said Leeds United should eventually be looking at more new era England internationals with the Whites midfielder deeply proud at his first ever Three Lions call.
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Phillips has been included in England boss Gareth Southgate's 24-man squad for next month's Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark following a brilliant season in helping Leeds to promotion as Championship title winners.

If selected, Phillips would become United's first England player since Alan Smith represented the Three Lions in 2004.

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Modest Phillips said he would be happy with making just the one outing for the Three Lions but the 24-year-old hailed the work of his club and predicted more Whites England internationals to follow.

DELIGHT: For Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips who has been handed his first England call. Photo by George Wood/Getty Images.DELIGHT: For Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips who has been handed his first England call. Photo by George Wood/Getty Images.
DELIGHT: For Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips who has been handed his first England call. Photo by George Wood/Getty Images.

"Obviously it's massive," said Phillips, speaking to Sky Sports about the importance of his call-up for Leeds.

"As a club we strive to put English people in a position like this and I am one of many that should hopefully go on and make more international caps for Leeds United."

Reflecting on how he found about his international call, Phillips said: "I didn't find out last night but my agent rang me and said Gareth Southgate had been in touch and he wanted to speak to me and he rang me this morning on the way to training and obviously I was very nervous.

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"I didn't really know what to say but he just mentioned that he had been tracking for me a while and that he liked the way I play so he wanted me to come and join the lads at St George's Park.

"I'm over the moon.

"It's massive news for me and for the family and for the club so I'm very happy and just grateful for the opportunity.

"I am a player that doesn't take anything for granted so hopefully I can go there and do well and just get as many games as possible, even if it's just one game I don't mind, I am very happy."

Asked if the call up had come as a surprise, Phillips smiled: "I think so!

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"I don't think I was expected to get into the England squad this early into the season, even before the season started.

"I thought it would take quite a while to be honest but maybe I got lucky. I don't know!"

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Thank you Laura Collins

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