Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has explained why Kalvin Phillips dropped to the bench for Monday’s loss at Brentford.
The Argentinian has rarely made changes this season, sticking to the same XI for the final run-in, only doing so when suspensions or injuries forced him to.
The likes of Jack Clarke, Gaetano Berardi and top scorer Kemar Roofe have all come back into contention in recent weeks, but they’ve all had to settle for a place on the bench.
Phillips, a fan favourite this season , was brought off at half-time on Good Friday against Wigan, and found himself dropped to the bench for Monday’s crunch match at Griffin Park.
It’s the first non-enforced change the manager has made in over two months.
“Kalvin Phillips gives defensive presence to the midfield,” Bielsa explained. “When the opponent has creative playmakers that go with the number nine, or when they play with two number nines, Kalvin increases his influence on the game.
“In a game like today, where the number nine plays alone, and he was helped by wingers, I took the decision to play Adam Forshaw because he moves the ball and he’s more dynamic.”
Pressure, play-offs, penalty decisions - Marcelo Bielsa's post-Brentford press conference in full
With Adam Forshaw in his place, Leeds went on to lose 2-0 against Brentford, with goals in both halves looking to have cost the Whites a chance of automatic promotion once and for all.
“His features suited this kind of game. That doesn’t mean Phillips could not have played with efficiency in the type of game today,” he added. “It doesn’t mean Adam Forshaw can’t play if he has to play two number nines or one number nine and a playmaker.”
“In the second half against Wigan the performance of Adam Forshaw convinced me and I decided to play him. We all know Kalvin Phillips played many games with good performances.
“If we have a look at a player who started the season where Kalvin was and what he is now the evolution is very important. The team has had 15 or 16 starters and he is one of them.”
