Birmingham City starlet Jude Bellingham has named Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips as the best player he has come up against so far in his career.
The 16-year-old has caught the eye in the Championship this season, leading to reported transfer interest from the likes of Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, and despite his tender age, he has already gone toe-to-toe with some fine players.
However, Bellingham has selected Phillips as the toughest player he has come up against, after a campaign where he has been instrumental for the Whites in their bid to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Phillips scored the winning goal in Leeds' 1-0 victory over Birmingham in October, where he faced off against Bellingham in the heart of midfield, and his performances clearly left an impact.
In a Q&A with fans on his Instagram page, Bellingham was asked who the best player he has come up against was and replied by posting a picture of the Leeds ace.
The praise provides further evidence of Phillips' tremendous rise under Marcelo Bielsa's guidance, establishing himself as arguably the best player in the Championship.
His performances have not gone unnoticed though, with plenty of speculation surrounding a potential exit from Elland Road and it will certainly be difficult for Leeds to retain his services if they do not secure Premier League football next season.
