Kalvin Phillips almost slipped through the scouting network as a junior because he could not “run like Linford Christie”, his former coach has revealed. “Within five minutes of him swapping kits with an injured lad, the Leeds scout, Walter Sweeney, turned up,” Thackray said. He dragged the ball back, like a ‘Cruyff turn’, before passing it to the far side of the field straight to our full-back’s feet and Mr Sweeney said: ‘Who’s that then?’. “I said: ‘Kalvin Phillips and everybody’s already been to watch him’. “Kalvin wasn’t particularly quick but could run all day and I said to Mr Sweeney: ‘What’s the harm in taking him to Thorp Arch?

Source: Express June 24, 2021 11:48 UTC