OPINION
Leeds fans are braced for bis for their best players after missing out on promotion to the Premier League and the first barrage came on Wednesday – and cruelly from recently-promoted Aston Villa, who pipped Leeds to the final spot in the play-offs.
According to the Telegraph, Villa are poised to submit a £14million bid for Kalvin Phillips – Leeds’ best player last season.
Amid the normal meltdown online from the fans, despite the report saying a bid was incoming, there was some really good news direct from the horse’s mouth.
In quotes from Football Insider, former Leeds player Noel Whelan said that he’d spoken to Phillip’s agent and that the midfielder wants to stay at Elland Road.
“I know Kalvin is desperate to stay at Leeds,” Whelan said. “I’ve spoken to his agent, who told me he’d love to stay at the club. There is no hiding that.”
This is brilliant news. Because if Phillips wants to stay and Bielsa wants to keep hold of him, there should be no imperative to sell. Yes, money is short at Elland Road but that’s more to do with bringing new faces in.
If a club is willing to play a price where it makes sense to sell – when Bielsa would be able to bring in better with the money – then things might change.
But, for now, it looks like the Leeds crown jewel is staying put.