Tyler Adams has declared he aims to become a Leeds United favourite in his own right. Since arriving from Red Bull Leipzig last summer, the American has been one of the standout performers at Elland Road.
English football fans received a first-hand account of Adams’ quality at the World Cup, when he thwarted Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount to earn the United States a 0-0 draw. It was his consistent displays and leadership qualities at Leeds which earned him the captain’s armband for his country ahead of the tournament in November.
Former Whites boss Jesse Marsch briefly managed the 24-year-old at Leipzig before signing him for Leeds. Left with a midfield void after losing Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City, Marsch relied on his compatriot to plug the gap.
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Adams has proven a rare highlight in an otherwise dismal campaign for United so far. Immediate comparisons to Phillips placed unnecessary pressure on his shoulders but, so far, he has dealt with the pressure.
The midfielder quickly became one of the first names on the Leeds team sheet but is determined to forge cult-hero status individually, without comparisons to anyone else. Adams told Whites YouTuber Kagey : “Kalvin is a special player, obviously Leeds through and through. What he did for the club speaks for itself.
“He was a pivotal part of their success and obviously the rise to the Premier League and keeping them there. When I came here, I knew that's who everyone was going to think I'm replacing. They were probably thinking ‘what kind of player are we getting? What kind of person are we getting? He’s not born and bred in Leeds’.
“I know Kalvin Phillips will always hold a special place in a lot of people's hearts throughout the club and the city. But, for me, it was a huge opportunity to take the step to the Premier League.
“Leaving a massive club like RB Leipzig who play in the Champions League is never easy. But I knew this is a step I wanted to take in my own career. So when people were asking me ‘how are you going to fill the shoes of Kalvin Phillips?’ I looked at them like ‘no, that was never the plan.’
“I didn't even think of Kalvin. I knew what he did for the club and how important he was but, for me, I wanted to come, show my qualities and who Tyler Adams is. I don't want to be like somebody or be like anybody. I just want to be myself. And I know when I do that I can be a top player and a top person.”
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