Paul Merson told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (26/12/20 at 1:20 pm) that Kalvin Phillips cannot stay at Leeds for much longer because he’s being left isolated in Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play.
The controversial TV pundit thinks Leeds’ risky ways will either result in Bielsa leaving or the players becoming ‘fed up’ of their gung-ho ways.
Last week, Leeds were left humiliated after they conceded six at bitter rivals Manchester United, including two goals inside the first few minutes.
Merson feels a certain Phillips is being exposed in the middle of the park and it will only result in one outcome.
“If I was Phillips, I don’t know how long I could stay here,” said Merson. “And I know he’s a massive Leeds fan. He has loved them all his life.
“He cannot keep on playing in the centre of midfield, playing one v one’s and you don’t even pass anybody on. You have to chase the same player all around the pitch.
“Now when I look at it. Is it Bielsa who leaves the club? Or is it the players who get fed up of playing the way they are playing? It’s alright when you are in the Championship and you are a better players.
“This team have to change something. I love watching them. If somebody said to me ‘there’s one team you could watch this season every game then it would be Leeds’. I would take a season ticket everyday as a neutral.”
At Old Trafford, there’s no doubt that Phillips, 25, had one of his poorer games, but he was defending space and nothing but acres of space all on his own.
But whilst those criticise Bielsa’s ways, it needs to be remembered he has been practicing his methods for decades and is highly-regarded amongst the best.
Plus, it’s this very same style and mindset that helped a previously rotting and struggling Leeds return to the big time for the first time in 17 years.
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