Kalvin Phillips believes that had Ronaldo Vieira stuck around at Leeds United he wouldn’t have played as many games under Marcelo Bielsa.

Leeds took the decision to cash-in on Vieira in the summer of 2018, moving the midfielder out to Italy for a multi-million pound fee.

Prior to his move to Sampdoria, Bielsa had earmarked both Phillips and Vieira for the holding midfield role within his 4-1-4-1 system, with the former edging the pre-season battle.

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From there, Phillips hasn’t looked back and established himself as the best midfielder in the Championship.

However, in his eyes, it might’ve been so much different had Vieira not left Elland Road.

Speaking on Forza Football Academy’s Instagram Q&A, the 24-year-old said: “I honestly believe if he’d have stayed here I wouldn’t have played as many games as I have.”

Phillips helped Leeds to third in the Championship table on the back of Vieira’s move to Sampdoria, but Bielsa’s side crashed out of the play-offs and missed out on the Premier League.

Nevertheless, Phillips was rewarded with fresh terms at Elland Road and has featured regularly in 2019/20 as Leeds look to right the wrongs of last season.

Bielsa’s side are top of the Championship table after 37 games, with a seven-point cushion to third.

The Verdict  

It’s probably a fair comment from Phillips; Vieira was a top talent too and Bielsa would have had a job on his hands finding room for them both in his system.

There were times last season where Phillips struggled and that might’ve opened the door for Vieira had he stuck around, but as it is, he grew and it looks like Leeds made the right call.

Phillips has benefitted from that faith and over in Italy, Vieira’s reputation is growing nicely.

Thoughts? Let us know!

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