Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has praised West Ham star Declan Rice ahead of their teams’ forthcoming showdown when speaking to BBC Radio Leeds on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Whites midfielder is enjoying his first taste of Premier League football this term and will almost certainly be in the lineup to face the Hammers at Elland Road on Friday night.
Phillips, who has been dubbed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ for his midfield talents, will pit his wits against Rice in an intriguing tussle which could go a long way to deciding the outcome of Friday’s clash.
In the build-up to the match, Phillips has heaped praise on his fellow England international, saying: “Declan’s obviously a very good player. He is younger than me as well. He has got a lot of experience in the Premier League, as I have not. For him to be playing for England so young is unbelievable for him. It’s very good for him.”
Remarkably, the two central midfielders have almost identical stats so far this season, highlighting the importance of the battle between the two on Friday.
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Phillips himself has earned plenty of plaudits for his performances since arriving in the Premier League, so for him to take time to credit Rice ahead of the meeting between the two is a nod towards the West Ham man’s influence across the division.
At times the Irons midfielder may get taken for granted from outside quarters. To be captaining a club of the size of West Ham as well as being an England regular at the tender age of 21 is almost unheard of and, as such, Phillips’ high praise of his England colleague is wholly justified.
