Stephen Warnock has warned Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa transfer target, Kalvin Phillips, that leaving Leeds United could put his World Cup place ‘in doubt’.
At this moment in time, the boyhood Leeds fan is a ‘shoo-in’ for England’s squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup, according to Warnock.
But, with the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and Villa keen to sign him up in the summer, the grass might not be greener on the other side.
At Leeds, Phillips doesn’t need to settle into a system or he won’t be dropped if he is out-of-form.
But former Leeds man Warnock made it clear that moving away from his boyhood club could become problematic, as he told the Football Show on Sky Sports.
“Kalvin Phillips is a very interesting one,” said Warnock. “He’s got the World Cup coming up and he’s got interested suitors, which is understandable because he’s an outstanding player.
“If he stays at Leeds, then he plays every week and he’s the main man. Then he goes into that World Cup probably a shoo-in to be in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
“If he goes to another club, and it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, system, form or not settling, and he doesn’t play, then his World Cup squad place is in doubt.
‘And that’s a big decision you have to make. That will be a tough one for him.”
LEEDS’ SURVIVAL MIGHT HAVE MADE PHILLIPS LIFE A LOT EASIER
If Leeds dropped down to the Championship, then selling Phillips, or him moving on, would have been a no-brainer.
But, now they are still a Premier League side, then it probably makes his call to stay a lot easier.
However, it does depend on who comes knocking. If it’s a Champions League club, then he will have a massive call to make.
But, with a lot of transfer noise around Phillips and Raphinha, Leeds need to do everything to try and keep one of those players.
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