Kalvin Phillips denies Marcelo Bielsa rift

Kalvin Phillips has laughed off suggestions that there is a rift between him and Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa.

Bielsa substituted Phillips at half time during his side's recent 0-0 Premier League draw with Brighton, fuelling speculation that there had been a falling out with his boss.

However, speaking after Leeds secured a last-minute victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, the England midfielder denied there was any issue.

"I will play any position the manager asks me - if he wants me to play centre back I will play centre back, if he wants me to play goalkeeper I'll play goalkeeper. I respect him so much I will never fall out with him," he told Amazon at full time.

"I saw a lot of things on social media and TV that me and the manager had fallen out, it's never been the case and I wanted to put that to bed."

These comments came after Bielsa had also dismissed any suggestion that their relationship was strained.

"It's very difficult to imagine that a player can never be substituted from a team," Bielsa said.

"The logic of football shows that in any game, any player can come off. I thought Pascal was better suited in the second half to the defensive midfield situation that I imagined than Phillips.

"That doesn't mean I was correct but I did what I thought was best. But in no way does that mean there's a difficulty with anyone."

Phillips played well against Palace, helping Bielsa's side secure a much-needed three points. Going into the game, the Whites were without a win in their last three Premier League games.

The result moves them up to 15th in the table, five points clear of relegation trouble with 14 games played.

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