Phillip Billing thriving under the leadership of Jonathan Woodgate

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Phillip Billing signed for Bournemouth in July 2019 for a fee of £15 million following Huddersfield Town’s relegation to the Championship and after a tough first campaign on the South Coast, he is beginning to find his feet.

The 24-year-old joined a Cherries side embarking on their fifth successive season in the English top-flight, but was unable to prevent the club from falling to the second tier.

He made 36 appearances across all competitions in his opening campaign, supplying three goals in that time but despite a 3-1 win at Goodison Park on the final day of the season, he was unable to prevent Eddie Howe’s side from relegation by just one point.

The former Huddersfield man made a fine start to life at the Cherries, starting in the first four league games of the season and earning the club’s Player of the Month award for August and was very quickly becoming well-loved by the supporters.

His first goal came in a 4-0 victory over Luton Town in the Third Round of the FA Cup before netting his first league strike in a 2-1 win over relegation rivals Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium.

However, upon the club’s relegation, the Danish international remained, opting to stay as the likes of Nathan Ake and Callum Wilson earned moves back to the Premier League, but the 24-year-old was determined to put things right and get the side back to the big time at the first time of asking.

It has been a very mixed season for the Cherries but Billing has been one of the few shining lights, featuring 27 times to date, including last night’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City.

Against the Bluebirds, he was once more a physical presence throughout in what on the whole was a tough night for his side but he did manage to still be one of the brighter players in an attacking sense, particularly in the first-half before Arnaut Danjuma and Shane Long were introduced at the break.

His height caused Mick McCarthy’s men plenty of problems as they struggled to cope with him, especially in the box on what was a very frustrating night for the Cherries.

He has been in good form of late in front of goal, scoring in crucial wins over Birmingham City and Rotherham United to keep the club in the Play-Off picture.

Jonathan Woodgate has come into the club in the last month and he has certainly excelled under him, playing in more of a number ten role than central midfield which he has largely been deployed in previously in his Cherries’ career.

He has been gifted much more freedom to break forward from midfield and make late runs into the box which opposition defences don’t expect and has been a key part in some of the recent results which have been achieved under Woodgate.

Billing spoke to Bournemouth’s official programme about what he would like to improve about his game which may come as a surprise to many.

“I know I need to be better in the air. I feel like I don’t really know my size and don’t feel like I’m 6ft 6in when I’m running around on the pitch.

“I feel quick and feel I have better feet than most players my height, you look around and there probably aren’t many players in my position as tall as me but I don’t feel like it.

“I have to watch clips after the game and then I realise I’m towering over the other players.”

His form this season has also seen him earn his first cap for Denmark and if he can continue to prosper for Bournemouth between now and the end of the season, he could well be knocking on the door to earn a space in their squad for the upcoming delayed Euro 2020.

The 24-year-old is a very physical player, he uses his strength extremely well and is very hard to get off the ball and for someone standing well over six foot, he is extremely calm and composed on the ball and is a vital player for the way Woodgate is trying to play.

He links the play really well and is also a real threat from set plays due to his aerial ability and will be a vital player for the side as they look to make it back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

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