Bielsa’s touching gift to Phillips to celebrate England call up

Kalvin Phillips was given one of Marcelo Bielsa’s most ­treasured old shirts to mark his first England call-up.

Now the Leeds midfielder wants to repay his manager for the defining role he’s played in his career by ­handing him one back bearing a Three Lions crest.

“I’m giving it to the manager, ­Marcelo,” said Phillips, when asked what he plans to do with the shirt he hopes to wear on his England debut.

“He gave me one of his when I was named in the squad, so I thought I’d give him a trade.

“Marcelo was pulling his hair out when I was called up because he wanted us all to be preparing for the first game of the season at Liverpool.

“But then he gave me one of his old playing shirts – as well as a written message to my family.

“It was a very nice touch. I’m going to ask him to sign the shirt and will frame the note.

“It says that my hard work has paid off – but it doesn’t stop here. He said that he’s very happy for me, my grandma, my mum and even my girlfriend as well.”

An illustration of the esteem that Bielsa holds Phillips is that the Argentine picked out an old red and black polo shirt from his time with Newell’s Old Boys to congratulate him on his ­elevation to the England fold.

The club from Rosario is Bielsa’s first love, having supported them as a boy, played for them as a man and coached them to two titles.

Phillips knew his boss was giving him a piece of his heart – and he wants to return the favour.

Gareth Southgate was delighted to hear the emotion in the 24-year-old’s voice when he called to tell him his country needed him.

Born and bred in Leeds, the ­midfielder also had the opportunity to commit himself to Jamaica.

“I was blown away when Gareth Southgate called,” said Phillips. “I kind of didn’t know what to say but he said he had been tracking me for a while and that he wanted me to join the squad.

“It’s massive for me and massive for my family. I’m very excited and very honoured to be here.

“I’ve just got to keep on pushing and working hard so hopefully I can eventually make my debut.”

Southgate is looking for a ­midfielder who can shield his ­defence, and Phillips will be given the chance to fill the role – although when Bielsa arrived at Elland Road just over two years ago he was the first to spot his potential for the job.

Now Leeds are back in the ­Premier League and Phillips can become the club’s first player since Alan Smith 19 years ago to be capped by England.

Phillips said: “I thought of myself as a box-to-box No.8 when Marcelo came to Leeds, and had even been playing as a No 10 and scored a few goals. But I was never going to say no to the switch because of the reputation he’s got.

“I just accepted it, got my head down and worked at it. It took a good six or seven months for me to get used to it and to understand where to be on the pitch.

“Marcelo is a manager who is ­obsessed with football, and he’s ­obsessed with making the players he’s got the best they can be.

“I think it’s fair to say he’s done that with me in the last two years.”

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