Leeds United have recently announced that Kalvin Phillips has signed a new deal to extend his stay at Elland Road until the summer of 2024. 

Phillips has been a key member of the Whites squad in recent seasons, and has flourished under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World's Chief Editor Sam Rourke, talkSPORT pundit Chris Iwelumo issued his thoughts on Phillips' new deal with the Yorkshire-based club and labelled it as 'a massive boost'.

"It's a massive boost. Kalvin Phillips for me, is one of the first names to be on the team-sheet. He sits in front of the back four, he protects them, but he's a good footballer and he's the one that reads the game and breaks up the play from the opposition"

The former Scotland striker outlined Phillips' qualities and feels as though Leeds are the best team currently in the Championship.

Bielsa's side will be hoping they can justify their pre-season promotion credentials this term, as they look to make a long-awaited return to the Premier League.

"With and without the ball, Leeds are by far the best team in the league for me, and he (Phillips) is a massive talent, he's a hard-hitting midfielder, but he's got everything else with that athleticism, technical ability and everything goes through him.

"They have such a nice way of playing. They don't panic, choose their moments to move forward and Kalvin plays a huge part in that with his energy and the ground that he covers, he's got it all. He ticks all the boxes and it's a massive signing for Leeds."

Phillips and his Leeds team-mates are next in action on Sunday, when they travel to Oakwell to take on Barnsley in what could potentially be a tricky test for Bielsa's men.