A man of the match performance in the Three Lions' opening game, the Leeds United star has gone on to gain a wealth of experience that will only help him and the Whites in the Premier League next season.

Phillips Leading the Way

It really was a performance to behold, as Phillips seemingly covered every blade of grass on the Wembley turf to help England secure a 1-0 win over Croatia in their tournament opener. The Three Lions, who are 5/1 to win the competition in the Euros betting odds, gained revenge for their 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat and Phillips played a key role against the Croats.

It was the type of performance that Leeds fans were treated to on a regular basis last season in the Premier League. The midfielder was playing a more attacking role under England boss Gareth Southgate, but there was still the quality of passing, work-rate, and tackling that Leeds supporters came to expect from their local lad.

A Chance to Learn From The Best

While away with the England squad, Phillips has a chance to spend over a month with the best players the country has to offer. Playing in midfield with the likes of Declan Rice, Mason Mount, and Jack Grealish will give Phillips an insight into how others train and perform. It can only serve the 25-year-old well for the future.

Playing every minute for England through the group stages, was something Phillips would only have dreamed of a year ago. The Leeds talisman has come on leaps and bounds since the arrival of manager Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road in 2018, but it was only last year that Phillips landed his first England call-up. To go from earning a first cap, to playing such a key role in the group stages, just shows how much Southgate now values the Whites star.

Others Can Follow in Phillips' Footsteps

After what was an impressive first season back in the Premier League, after a 16-year absence, there were others pushing for England call-ups before the European Championships. Many considered striker Patrick Bamford unlucky not to be selected, with the Leeds forward only behind Harry Kane in Premier League goals scored by an Englishman last season.

On the wing, Jack Harrison caused defenders problems week in and week out, while wing-back Luke Ayling was also thought to be under England consideration after an impressive campaign. Bamford, Harrison, and Ayling might well have been disappointed to miss out on the Euros, but they have certainly put themselves in the frame for the England squad that should feature at the 2022 World Cup.

Phillips is the one who has led the way, but in an exciting time for Leeds United, others in the squad might also follow in his footsteps and don the white of England.