Mateusz Klich reflects on suitability for holding midfield role and Leeds United absence of Kalvin Phillips

MATEUSZ Klich says he could possibly deputise for Kalvin Phillips in the Leeds United no 4 role but is better off being more creative further up the field.
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Leeds will again be without England international Phillips for tonight's Premier League clash at Wolves due to a calf injury that the midfielder picked up in the 2-0 win at home to Crystal Palace.

Phillips has made the United holding midfield role his own and Pascal Struijk again filled in for Phillips in the position in last weekend's 4-2 loss at Arsenal.

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Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of tonight's clash at Wolves, Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa was asked if Struijk would again get the nod in the position or if there were other players in his squad that would suit that role.

VERSATILE: Leeds United's Polish international Mateusz Klich, above, feels he could fill in as a holding midfielder but is better off in a more advanced role. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.VERSATILE: Leeds United's Polish international Mateusz Klich, above, feels he could fill in as a holding midfielder but is better off in a more advanced role. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.
VERSATILE: Leeds United's Polish international Mateusz Klich, above, feels he could fill in as a holding midfielder but is better off in a more advanced role. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.

"Pascal is an option, but we have others in the group," said Bielsa.

"But for a while now I prefer not to anticipate and tell the team."

Centre midfielder Klich has played in both more advanced and defensive roles during his time at Leeds but says he is best utilised in more of an attacking sphere.

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Asked if he could play the deep lying midfield role in the absence of Phillips, Klich told BBC Radio Leeds: "Possibly I could.

"But I think it's better that I stay a little bit higher on the pitch to help there instead of passing the ball and not being allowed to move forward.

"Obviously as a no 4 you need to cover your full backs and you need to cover your centre halves so you have got more defensive responsibilities.

"I have been playing a couple of games there but you just pass the ball and look at what the guys in front are going to do so I would rather be those boys who do some stuff upfront."

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Reflecting on the absence of Phillips, Klich admitted: "Obviously we miss him because we don't really have a replacement of him.

"He is very good at his role and very good at the things he does on the pitch.

"We are missing that and I am missing that as well so I hope he is going to be fit as soon as possible because I really enjoy playing alongside him."

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