Kalvin Phillips, born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is on the front page of Friday’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport.
It’s the stuff of dreams, and for the Manchester City midfielder it’s happened despite him struggling for anything like regular minutes since he left Leeds United.
That shows the level he’s now at, the world to which he transferred himself into. Not being close to a major player for Pep Guardiola, Phillips’ status at the Premier League champions means that in Juventus’ hour of need they look towards this young man from Yorkshire.
The main gist of Gazzetta’s major story is that a transfer to the Turin giants is closing in. This week has seen meetings with agents, and the hope is that a loan move can be sealed in the winter market.
Juventus desperately need an addition after losing Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli to long suspensions, and Phillips is seen as the man.
However, there’s just a little confusion with the nickname Leeds United supporters thrusted on Kalvin.
The Yorkshire Pirlo.
Gazzetta and others in the Italian media have made efforts this week to explain that Phillips will not be the second coming of Andrea Pirlo, that he’s a completely different player.
The famous old Italian newspaper states: ‘Challenging nickname, also because the foot, although good, does not bear comparison with that of the 2006 World Cup champion playmaker.’
Instead, Gazzetta dub him the ‘Leeds Pitbull’, which they clearly feel is a better description for their audience.
