From changing plans for fans to star turns, Phillips’ heart will always be Leeds

New Manchester City signing Kalvin Phillips has made a name for himself ever since his promotion to the Premier League with Leeds United.

Now an England regular, the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ has penned a five-year contract with City until the summer of 2027, with Pep Guardiola’s champions paying £45million to secure his services.

The 26-year-old was instantly earmarked as the perfect replacement for Fernandinho, who left the Etihad on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract to join boyhood Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense.

And while Manchester United were keen on the players, it was reported the player would never have considered signing for Leeds’ rivals.

It once again shows the bond between the player and the club – one that is set to last forever.

Leeds born and bred

Phillips, a Leeds youth product, joined his boyhood club in 2010 aged just 14.

“When I was young, I went to see my first ever Leeds game at Elland Road. From that moment I knew that my dream was to put on that white shirt and walk out on that pitch,” he told fans in his farewell message to them.

“He stamps his mark on games,” Blunt told The Yorkshire Evening Post. “He’s athletic and a good footballer with a good range of passing and a typical Leeds midfielder who the fans tend to like.”

Blunt wasn’t wrong and now Phillips has club legend status at Elland Road.

His rise, particularly under the guidance of the inspirational Marcelo Bielsa – ‘the best manager I ever came across‘ – culminated in a stellar 2020/21 season for both club and country.  

Phillips’ development has been staggering, especially given he went from the Championship to England regular in the space of a season.

He has been capped 23 times at international level, having made his debut against Denmark in September 2020 aged 24, and he was even voted 2020/21 England men’s player of the year, ahead of both Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling.

The Yorkshireman started every game of England’s run to the UEFA Euro 2020 final, gaining plenty of plaudits along the way.

Family man

When he was called up by England boss Gareth Southgate, the first person he told about his maiden cap was Val Crosby, better known as ‘Granny Val’.

Phillips will forever cherish the priceless moments he had with his grandmother, who doesn’t just have a special place in the player’s heart, but among the Elland Road faithful too.

She became popular with fans after starring in the Amazon Prime documentary, Take Us Home, which chronicled Bielsa’s promotion-winning season to the Premier League.

And he was understandably heartbroken when she died in 2021.

His mother, Lindsay Crosby, is also adored by Leeds fans due to her ever-present posts on Twitter, while, his childhood sweetheart, Ashleigh Behan, who he has been with since he was 11, has also played a huge support role in his rise.

His father, Mark, is currently serving a prison sentence at HM Prison Wealstun, which is just 350 yards from Leeds’s Thorp Arch training ground – but Phillips does remain in contact with him once every two weeks.

Setting an example

Leeds United fan Ben Shires recently told a touching story about how Phillips filled in for defender Ben White at an event for fans.

Part of the Leeds United Trust, Ben along with others, were hosting a Q&A session with White, who he played for the club on loan during the 2019/20 season.

However, the player had to pull out with tonsillitis, and with just hours to go until the event began, it looked as though it was going to have to be cancelled.

Thankfully, Phillips saved the day. With almost no notice, he rearranged his whole evening to be at the event and chat with other supporters.

Not only was he generous with his time, but, as Ben recalls, Phillips was ‘candid, honest, humble and funny.’

Shires recalls he told stories about supporting Leeds as a boy, the heartbreak of relegation and what Bielsa had done for the club as well as himself.

“He didn’t have to do any of that, but going above and beyond is what KP is all about,” Shires wrote on Twitter.

“He’s gifted Leeds fans some of our best moments in recent memory, and given his all through good times and bad. On the pitch, in the press and out in the community, he’s always put Leeds first.”

Bielsa has also heaped praise on the Leeds-born midfielder in the past, and rubbished any rift between him and the player. He also knew Phillips was destined for bigger things.

“I’m sure the day he leaves Leeds will generate disappointment,” Bielsa explained in one interview.

“But I am sure the way he does it is going to solidify his link to the club, the people and the city.”

That day has finally come and Phillips’ move to the big time is a huge step for him, but no doubt he will keep his feet firmly on the ground, and have the support and backing of his family.

He will give 100 per cent for Manchester City, but his heart will always be in Yorkshire.