Kalvin Phillips should reject West Brom and stay at Leeds United
According to The Sun, West Brom are interested in signing Kalvin Phillips from Championship promotion rivals Leeds United. The Baggies are currently fifth, six points behind second-placed Leeds.
Darren Moore’s side is the highest scoring side in the division, having netted 44 times so far this term. However, the Hawthorns-based outfit have conceded a staggering 30 goals in 21 league games so far, 16 goals less than Middlesbrough, who boast the best defensive record.
Keen on making a quick return to the Premier League after suffering relegation last term, West Brom need a midfielder who can provide cover for the defence and provide balance in the middle of the park. As a result, the Baggies have turned their attention to 23-year-old Phillips.
Here, we look at why it is in the youngster’s best interest to stay put at Elland Road.
The Thorn Arch graduate could do a job as a defensive midfielder patrolling ahead of West Brom’s defence. However, his emergence at Marcelo Bielsa this term suggests that his immediate future lies Yorkshire. Phillips has arguably been Leeds’ best performer this season. The 23-year-old has massively improved under Bielsa’s management.
Regardless of the outcome this season, Leeds should not entertain any offers for Phillips. As it stands, Leeds are in the driving seat. The Whites occupy the second automatic promotion slot and will be hoping to keep the pressure on Norwich, who are just one point above them.
Nonetheless, even if West Brom earn promotion and Leeds don’t, the Elland Road side should reject any offers for the versatile midfielder. Phillips is a player that Bielsa needs to build his team around.
Kalvin Phillips has improved leaps and bounds under Bielsa this season. So much so that he is almost unrecognizable from the midfielder who highly divided fans’ opinions with his hit-and-miss performances across last season.
The versatile midfielder has featured in all of Leeds 21 league games this season, playing 15 games as a defensive midfielder and six games as a centre-back. A good reader of the game and an excellent, the youngster has averaged a pass success percentage of 82.3% this season. Philips has already registered two assists so far, winning the Man of the Match (MOTM) award once. Strong in the air, the 23-year-old has won 2.6 aerial duels per game on an average.
It has been clear right from the start of the season that Phillips was set to be a key figure under the legendary Argentine tactician. The 23-year-old has become enormously indispensable to Bielsa’s style of play, dictating the manager’s possession-based style from a deep midfield role.
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With Bielsa helping the youngster fulfil his massive potential, he should not be having any thoughts about bidding farewell to Elland Road any time soon. The prospect of playing Premier League football will obviously appeal to Phillips, especially if Leeds miss out. However, staying in West Yorkshire and continuing to hone his trade under Bielsa is the best option available to him right now.
