Leeds United players Kalvin Phillips and Ben White have taken a day-trip together to Alton Towers during the international break.

The duo have both been pivotal in the Whites fast start to the season, with the latter winning the second-tier's fans' player of the month award for August, and it appears the pair have struck-up a strong friendship of the pitch too with their respective partners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White shared a photograph on his Instagram story of the group playing Uno, with a beaming Phillips sat alongside him.

The defender only signed on loan at Elland Road from Brighton during the summer transfer window but has proved a huge hit with the club, appearing in all six league matches and making the impact of Pontus Jansson's departure close to unnoticeable.

Phillips has continued his crucial role in the team, maintaining his spot as Marcelo Bielsa's golden boy, and also looks set to commit his long-term future to the club in the coming days.

There was a lot of speculation linking him with a transfer away from the Yorkshire giants during the summer, with Aston Villa, Tottentham and Wolves all reportedly interested.

But it looks like he will be staying, giving himself and White plenty more chances to bond.

The verdict

I do not think you can underestimate how important off-field bonds like this can be to a team and their chances success.

Obviously, it is not all you need. But if you have a team full of players who get along really well and are able to be open and honest with eachother, you will inevitably have fewer problems.

With spirits high, it is hard to rule Leeds out of promotion contention. Whether they can keep them at that level or not could be key.