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Phillip 2.0, a physically and technically gifted central midfielder”- Farke to Unearth Phillip 2.0 in Dominant Leeds star who glides through games
Leeds United took a significant step toward Premier League promotion with a crucial 2-1 victory over promotion-chasing Sunderland at Elland Road on Monday night.
Facing the fourth-placed team in the Championship, Leeds had the chance to extend their lead over third place, especially after Burnley’s 0-0 draw with Preston North End over the weekend.
Sunderland took the lead with a first-half goal from Wilson Isidor, putting them 1-0 up at the break. It looked like Leeds might miss the opportunity to increase their advantage at the top.
However, Pascal Struijk, who came on as a substitute, scored two headers to turn the match around and secure all three points for Leeds.
With the win, Leeds are now seven points clear of third place, and with 13 matches remaining, they are well on track for automatic promotion.
Leeds last secured Premier League promotion under Marcelo Bielsa in the 2019/20 season, with Kalvin Phillips playing a pivotal role in their success the following year.
Kalvin Phillips’ Role in Leeds’ Premier League Rise
Phillips, a product of the Leeds academy, was a key figure in the team’s rise under Bielsa, contributing greatly in both the Championship and the Premier League. During the 2019/20 season, Phillips started 37 out of 46 league matches, helping Leeds secure promotion.
Once in the Premier League, Phillips played 29 out of 38 games in the 2020/21 season, helping Leeds finish comfortably in the top ten and avoid relegation.
His defensive contributions in midfield were crucial, consistently making tackles and interceptions to win back possession.
His work allowed players like Raphinha and Rodrigo to thrive on the counter-attack.
Phillips was more than just a destroyer, as his passing and dribbling also added quality to Leeds’ play. He ended the 2020/21 season with five “big chances” created and an 85% pass accuracy, showing his value both defensively and offensively.
Darko Gyabi’s Potential at Leeds
Leeds may have a similar talent in Darko Gyabi, who is currently out on loan at Plymouth Argyle.
The former Manchester City prospect joined Plymouth for the second half of the 2023/24 season and then returned on a season-long loan this year.
Gyabi has made 30 appearances for Plymouth this season, showing strong potential to become a future star for Leeds.
Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “dominant” force in midfield, noting his physicality and ability to glide through games with his athleticism and ball control.
Gyabi has improved his duel success and passing efficiency this season compared to his early months at Plymouth.
Whether he can make the jump to the Premier League next season remains to be seen, but his performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup suggests he has the potential to do so.
Gyabi’s Impressive FA Cup Performance
Gyabi had a chance to showcase his talents against Premier League opposition when Plymouth faced Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round earlier this month. .
In the historic 1-0 victory, Gyabi played the full 90 minutes and impressed with his well-rounded midfield display.
He held his own against Liverpool’s Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott, winning most of his duels and never being dribbled past. He also completed 100% of his dribbles and demonstrated his passing accuracy, helping Plymouth move up the pitch.
These performances, combined with his strong showing at Plymouth in the Championship, suggest that Farke could have his own version of Phillips in Gyabi.
The 21-year-old is physically and technically gifted and has plenty of time to develop, making him a potential future star for Leeds, whether in the Premier League or not.
