Kalvin Phillips may have been making his Euro 2020 debut this afternoon but on the evidence of his first-half performance, he looked at home in the middle of England's midfield.
The Leeds United star was expected to sit deep with Declan Rice in a 4-2-3-1 but operated closer to Mason Mount in a 4-1-4-1 system with an eye-catching first-half display.
He went close with one early shot and made a series of crunching challenges in midfield as he got the better of his opposite numbers in Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic.
Leeds fans credited Marcelo Bielsa 's role in his progression and explained their pride at seeing Phillips perform so well in an England shirt.
Here's how Leeds United fans responded to his first-half performance at Wembley.
@AndrewHaigh: Player of the tournament so far #lufc
@RITGK: Kalvin with that hold up play #lufc
@itsrichwilliams: Seeing Phillips start for England in a major tournament - having seen him develop as he has for Leeds these last few years - is giving me all the feels. #EURO2020 #MOT
@danwales1987: 3 years ago Bielsa was named Leeds manager! Today Kalvin Phillips starts in midfield for England! What a time to be alive!
@MrPMHarrison: Feel a degree of anxious pride towards Kalvin Phillips that is almost paternal! #ALAW #ENGCRO
@StephenCree: Right now Granny Val will be looking down, beaming with pride. #lufc #ENGCRO
@markdennett86: Having not been bothered by England for so long, I’ve just got excited, stuck it on and got goosebumps!! Partly thanks to seeing #LUFC players back in the line up!! Com’on KP. #ENGCRO
@TotallyLeeds: Kalvin Phillips is the greatest England player of all time! #ItsComingHome
@BarneyLUFC21: Phillips is having a great 20 minutes so far he’s basically doing his Leeds role further forward winning those second balls reading the passes #ENGCRO
@jonnychick_: Kalvin Phillips starting in England’s opening group game at Euro 2020. Bielsa has done absolute wonders for him it’s a joke. Up the Yorkshire Pirlo #LUFC
