In the eyes of David Norris, Kalvin Phillips has all the traits to step up into the Premier League, but admits that the midfielder is doing the right thing by giving promotion one more push with Leeds United.  

Leeds fended off bids for the 23-year-old over the course of the summer, with the Telegraph noting early on that Aston Villa held Phillips in high regard after a really impressive campaign under Marcelo Bielsa.

For Norris, who played for Leeds between 2012 and 2015 – leaving just months before Phillips’ Championship debut – the midfielder is destined for the Premier League.

“I think so – technically, he’s sound, he’s got a little bit of everything; he can score, he’s got a tackle in him and he’s a fit lad,” Norris told Football League World’s Chief Editor, Sam Rourke.

Last year, Phillips featured on 46 occasions across all competitions, proving to be the vital midfield cog in Bielsa’s promotion-chasing side.

Of course, Leeds’ promotion dream collapsed over April and May, with Phillips one of the many players pictured in floods of tears following a loss at Brentford and the play-off defeat to Derby County.

Despite the expected Premier League interest, Norris believes that Phillips is right to give promotion another go with his boyhood club.

He continued: “I expected some speculation (last summer) with him doing well and being young, also with Leeds not being in the top league. But, I think it is the right thing to have done, stay and give it one more go.

“I’m sure that’s what he would want (promotion), if you get it right at that club, you’re going to be an absolute legend.”

Phillips has played every minute of league and cup action in 2019/20, helping Leeds to 10 points from 12 in the Championship as well as the second round of the League Cup.