Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is reportedly being tracked by a number of Premier League sides.
Leeds fans will not have been surprised by seeing Kalvin Phillips play a starring role in the Whites’ win over Wigan on Sunday. The midfielder has been a revelation under Marcelo Bielsa and was excellent in the 2-1 victory that saw them return to the Championship’s summit.
Phillips seems to breeze through games in his current role. He transitions between a third centre-back and holding midfielder with ease and it looks like it will be the academy graduate’s real breakout season at Elland Road.
That is a remarkable thought considering that he scored seven times in the league last term.
Phillips’ form however, does come with one potential downside for Leeds. Teamtalk reported in September that the 22-year-old is being watched by 12 Premier League sides, including Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton, with the latter leading the charge.
Performances like the one on Sunday makes it hard to think that Leeds will not face a fight to keep hold of the midfielder over the coming windows – but they cannot allow Phillips to head anywhere.
His ability to move between roles effortlessly makes him crucial to the fluidity that Bielsa has instilled in the current Leeds side. Replacing him would arguably be a huge task and the Whites would run the risk of upsetting the balance of the team significantly.
It may not have been the most impressive win Leeds have enjoyed this season – that honour would surely still go to the performance at Derby County in August – but it was another reminder that Phillips is as important as any other player in Bielsa’s ranks.
Leeds must now brace themselves for serious interest in the youngster – and must emphatically reject any offers as soon as they arrive.
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