Kalvin Phillips has explained Marcelo Bielsa gifted the Leeds United star with a Newell’s Old Boys shirt after his England call-up and sent him a message of advice.
The midfielder was an unused substitute for England's 1-0 win over Iceland in the UEFA Nations League last night, but has still gained valuable experience as part of Gareth Southgate's squad.
And Bielsa himself recognised the importance of the moment when Phillips was added to Southgate's squad by honouring it with a special gift.
Phillips talked after the Iceland match about what Bielsa had done to make the moment special.
"It’s an old playing shirt from when he used to play, which I’ll ask him to sign," Phillips told The Telegraph.
"He sent me a little note as well, I’m going to get that framed, it says my hard work has paid off, but it doesn’t stop here."
Phillips also added, while Bielsa was proud of his call-up, he was 'pulling his hair out' over the lack of time to prepare for the 2020/21 season opener against Liverpool.
"He was kind of pulling his hair out because there were quite a few lads going off to internationals," Phillips added.
"He was thinking he didn’t have enough time to prepare for Liverpool."
