Here are this evening’s Leeds United headlines on Friday, 1 October 2021:
Phillips attributes rise to Bielsa
Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has attributed his meteoric football rise to Marcelo Bielsa after he was named in the latest England squad.
Phillips has established himself as a key player for both club and country in recent years and his consistent high-level performances have seen him linked with a move to some of English football’s top sides.
But Leeds are reportedly confident of tying the 25-year-old’s long term future down at Elland Road amid the recent speculation.
Speaking on behalf of McDonald’s Fun Football, via the Metro, he doesn’t think he would be in the position he is in if it wasn’t for Bielsa.
He said: “Without Marcelo, I would never be here now and would never be involved in the England set-up, so I’m very grateful to him and all the coaches I’ve played under.
"I’m very honoured they trust me and have played me as much as they have. I’m laid-back, always have been. A lot of people praise me but also a lot of people say bad stuff about me.
"The praise comes and I’ll take it but there are a lot of things I can improve. People are praising me now but I feel I’ve got a couple more gears. I’ve only been playing in the Premier League and in the national team for a year and feel I have a lot further to go.
Read the full story HERE.
Five Leeds youngsters called up to England
Charlie Cresswell, Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Lewis Bate and Cody Drameh have all received call ups to the Young Lions during the upcoming international break.
Cresswell will represent England’s Under-21s side, while the other four have all been named in Andy Edwards’ Under-20s squad.
The call up for Cresswell caps off a dream week for the 19-year-old after he made his first Premier League start for the Whites last weekend and after not receiving any minutes for the Under-21s during the last international break, he will now be hoping he has done enough to represent his country for the first time.
Meanwhile, it is the second consecutive international break that has seen all of Gelhardt, Greenwood, Bate and Drameh called up to represent the Under-20s.
Ayling injury opens door for Shackleton
Luke Ayling is set to face a few weeks on the sidelines due to minor surgery that could open the door for Jamie Shackleton.
Despite making his debut over three years ago, Shackleton has struggled to establish himself as a regular in Bielsa’s starting XI.
The 21-year-old, who progressed through the youth ranks at Leeds as a central midfielder, has found most of his first team opportunities at right back.
Shackleton is now expected to deputise for first choice Ayling in his absence and a string of consistent performances could see him overtake the former Bristol City in the pecking order.
Read the full story HERE.
