‘He didn’t go kicking and screaming’: Chris Sutton questions Leeds’ transfer call

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Chris Sutton has questioned why Leeds United didn’t play ‘harder ball’ with Manchester City in trying to get a higher transfer fee for Kalvin Phillips, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

The former Premier League striker agreed with a Leeds fan that the £42 million transfer fee that has seemingly been agreed with Manchester City for Phillips’ talents is ‘low’.

It’s understandable why Leeds fans are frustrated at, not just losing such a key player, but for what they think is a fee that is pretty low in comparison to what is being sold in the market.

Former Leeds promotion winner, Ben White, who wasn’t an England international at the time and had spent just one season in the Premier League, was sold to Arsenal for £50 million last summer.

There is talk of £100 million+ for Phillps’ partner in crime, Declan Rice, and even if the West Ham star is better, there isn’t that much of a gulf between the two.

Either way, Sutton shared his thoughts on the transfer fee that Phillips is going to be sold for ahead of his probable departure from Yorkshire to Manchester.

“I don’t know the ins and outs, but it looks like there is possibly a clause triggered of £42 million, right?” asked Sutton.

On there not being a clause: “Well, in that case, then £42 million does seem (low). I am with you (agreeing with Leeds fan annoyed at the low transfer fee for Phillips).

“Why didn’t Leeds play harder ball then? He didn’t go kicking and screaming, did he?! He wanted out.”

HOW WILL LEEDS FAIR WITHOUT PHILLIPS?

Whilst Raphinha is also headed for the Elland Road exit door, the Phillips one will hurt the fans more because he is one of their own.

It has been some journey for the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’, who transformed from an attack-minded midfielder to one of the best defensive brains in midfield in the Premier League.

Marcelo Bielsa has played a huge part in his rise and success because he saw that defensive side to Phillips’ game very early on and helped elevate his career to levels he probably never thought he would be able to reach.