Leeds United supporters were already well aware of the talent Kalvin Phillips possessed when Euro 2020 got underway. However, it was his stellar displays throughout the tournament which helped England march into the final that put Europe on notice.
Operating in central midfield alongside West Ham United's Declan Rice, he shone against elite opposition and he was crowned as the BT England Men's Player of the Year for 2021. It was widely that expected that he would continue to build momentum and go on to help Leeds, who had surged into the top half of the Premier League following their promotion, carry on growing under the tutelage of Marcelo Bielsa.
Fast forward to March 2022 and Bielsa is no longer in charge at Elland Road, whilst Phillips has not feature since December to a hamstring injury. It has been far from ideal for the boyhood Whites supporter, although his return to the bench for the dramatic 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers provided optimism for his future.
READ MORE: Leeds United's silver lining to Bamford injury
Phillips will undoubtedly have his sights set on helping Leeds retain their Premier League status but the 2022 World Cup may not be far from his thoughts. Although he stood out alongside Rice last summer, England boss Gareth Lions boasts a plethora of midfield options and Phillips will have to fight off stern competition to secure a starting berth in Qatar.
LeedsLive have taken a look at some of his rivals in central midfield.
Declan Rice
Rice has continued to marshal the West Ham United midfield and his defensive steel, combined with his powerful dribbling and eye for a pass, makes him an asset for the Three Lions.
There has previously been debates about whether Rice is a better option for Southgate than Phillips, but their performances together at Euro 2020 proved that a decision does not need to be made between them.
Jordan Henderson
Although he was a member of the supporting cast at Euro 2020, Henderson remains firmly in contention for a place in England's midfield.
At 31, he may not represent the future of the national team but is a trusted lieutenant of Southgate and continues to prove himself at the highest level with Liverpool.
Jude Bellingham
Henderson may not represent the future but Bellingham certainly does.
The 18-year-old is already a first-team regular in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and may have his eye on the box-to-box role Phillips played at Euro 2020.
He plays with maturity that defies his tender years and the upcoming tournament could potentially send his value skyrocketing if he takes it by the scruff of the neck.
Conor Gallagher
In an alternate timeline, Gallagher lines up alongside Phillips at Elland Road on a weekly basis.
The 22-year-old was linked with a loan move to Leeds last summer but instead joined Crystal Palace, where has won over Eagles supporters with his all-action displays.
Like Phillips, he is energetic and technically gifted, therefore could be a contender for the midfield role just ahead of Rice.
James Ward-Prowse
The 27-year-old has spent almost a decade at the heart of Southampton's midfield and has established himself as an indispensable figure for the Saints.
He may be an outside contender for a starting berth in the opening match of the World Cup, but the prospect of Harry Kane benefitting from Ward-Prowse's set-piece deliveries is an exciting one.
