Leeds boss Bielsa explains halftime hook for Phillips

Tribal Football

·27 November 2021

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa hooked England midfielder Kalvin Phillips at halftime of their 0-0 draw at Brighton.

The manager later explained why he decided to replace England international Phillips.

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He said: “It was a change because I thought the characteristics of Pascal Struijk were better suited to the game.

“The game positionally had a lot in similar to the game against Tottenham Hotspur.

“I thought forming a back four of Kalvin Phillips, Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper and Junior Firpo would help us to neutralise Brighton.

“I associated their number 11 with Son and their number nine with Kane and their number two with Moura due to their position and function they had.

“We started the game like that, but it wasn't the correct decision."