There have been times when supporters of the national side have questioned whether the Elland Road star has what it take to cut it at the highest level, but after his standout showing at Wembley, including an assist for Raheem Sterling's winner, few can argue with his spot in Gareth Southgate's squad.
Writing in a column for the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said: “He was composed and quite obviously knew his role within what boss Gareth Southgate wanted him to do.
“Phillips looked unfazed and he is not a young man that we have seen necessarily look stressed when it comes to the questions that have been asked of him and it was exactly the same again.
“He played a very important role in the game and the outcome of the game and this is a very proud and respectful moment that he has managed to show in an England shirt.
“There was much discussion over whether it would be Declan Rice or Phillips starting or a mixture of both and what we saw from a dovetailing point of view fills you with a lot of hope going forward in the tournament.
“We may only be one game in but Phillips was composed and assured.
“Every single Leeds fan knows what Phillips is about and he showed what perhaps other people hadn't known about him.”
We’ve gathered the best of today’s Premier League transfer speculation below...
. A general view ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Aston Villa at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on February 27, 2021. (Photo by NAOMI BAKER / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NAOMI BAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Elland Road (Photo by NAOMI BAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: NAOMI BAKER
1. Update on Nandez pursuit
Cagliari's director of football, Stefano Capozzucca, has denied that Leeds United have made an offer for midfielder Nahitan Nandez. (L'Unione Sarda)
(Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images) Photo: Enrico Locci
2. Liverpool scout White
Liverpool extensively scouted Brighton ace Ben White when he was on loan at Leeds United. (The Athletic)
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) Photo: Catherine Ivill
3. Toon falling behind in Nunes race
Newcastle United are falling behind Everton in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon talent Matheus Nunes. (Record)
(Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: CARLOS COSTA
4. Brighton target Gonzalez
Brighton are on the lookout for a new striker, with VfB Stuttgart’s Nicolás González among the chosen targets. (Corriere dello Sport)
(Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) Photo: Matthias Hangst