Kalvin Phillips’ transformation at Leeds highlighted by Spurs reports

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Tottenham Hotspur are amongst the list of clubs reportedly interested in signing Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips.

If Leeds fans had been told at the start of the summer that a report would emerge shortly after the start of the season suggesting that one of the Whites’ stars was being tracked by 12 Premier League sides, many would probably imagine that they were in danger of losing the likes of Pontus Jansson or Samuel Saiz.

In fact, at that stage, they probably would have listed a number of players that they feared being the subject of the report before they suggested that Kalvin Phillips would be the man on several clubs’ radar.

But TEAMtalk are now reporting that Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton are amongst the sides considering offering the 22-year-old the chance to leave Elland Road.

Heading into this season, it was perhaps unclear what sort of role Phillips was going to play under Marcelo Bielsa. Adam Forshaw appeared to be establishing himself as the midfield’s talisman in the latter stages of last season, while many may have expected Ronaldo Vieira to perhaps finally realise his frightening potential under the maverick head coach.

But it quickly became clear in pre-season that Phillips was going to be an integral part of Bielsa’s plans. The academy graduate – who seemed to impress and frustrate in equal measure last term – featured prominently in a holding role that often saw him become a third centre-back.

And when Vieira was sold, it appeared to be a real vote of confidence in Phillips from Bielsa – even if the boss did not want the midfielder to leave for Sampdoria.

Since then, Phillips has established himself as one of the most important players in Leeds’ side. There have been a couple of disappointing displays, but generally, he has adapted to his new role superbly.

And it perhaps cannot be overlooked just how much freedom Phillips is allowing Mateusz Klich to have further up the field. It is a transformation that few – maybe everyone except Bielsa himself – would have seen coming in the summer.

And while Andrea Radrizzani will be hoping that he does not have to respond to offers for Phillips, the interest is definitely another indication of the positive direction that Leeds are heading in.