Chelsea defensive midfielder scouting series part three: Kalvin Phillips
3. Defensive actions
Phillips has led Leeds this season in interceptions per 90 (1.7), like Ndidi, Phillips has often played as the lone defensive midfielder for in a 4-1-4-1 flat formation. He ranks second in the team for tackles plus interceptions per 90 (4.1). Interestingly he has also averaged exactly that since the start of last season. Compared to him, Kante has averaged 5.3 tackles plus interceptions per 90 since the beginning of last season, which is quite impressive considering that Kante plays in a more possession based team, so should – at the very least – be averaging less tackles plus interceptions per 90 than Phillips.
Phillips doesn’t clear the ball very often, same as Kante, which is not uncommon with possession-based sides, as Phillips clears the ball 1.6 times per 90 to Kante’s 1.34, in the time under scrutiny. Kante also leads Phillips in blocked shots per 90, 0.23 to 0.13, which is really not surprising seeing as they’re defensive midfielders for high possession teams. It is worth noting though, that Kante has led Phillips in most defensive actions so far, despite his team averaging more possession in the time under scrutiny. That said, Phillips puts up very good defensive numbers in his own right.
Kante gets dribbled past a lot less than Phillips though, 1.17 to 1.4 per 90. This is could be because Leeds play a very high line and are often vulnerable when hit on the break. Leeds is not a good defensive unit, in fact this season they’ve scored as much as they’ve conceded. Those dribbled past numbers aren’t so bad though, as Phillips has won 55-percent of his ground duels in the period under scrutiny, winning an average of 4.5 ground duels per game. He out-does Kante in this area, because Kante completes less ground duels per game (4.4) but also at a much lower rate (49-percent). Again, weight and height differences factor in when considering ground duels won over a long period of time, Phillips rises to 178cm at 72kg, while Kante rises to 168cm at 68 kg.
Phillips winning more ground duels at a higher rate is worth noting, as it could be an indication that he’s simply better at it than Kante. It could also be because he attempts less ground duels per game, though that can also be an indication of a player who picks his moment to engage. It could also be just the size difference, though Kante is likely stronger than Phillips.