OPINION
Ask any manager what quality they would ideally like in a central midfielder, and they will likely tell you that they want a player who puts in a 7/10 performance every week.
There’s not point putting in a man of the match display if you’re going to follow it up the next week by dropping a shocker.
Consistency is key in the engine room, and there are few players who have been as consistent this season as Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips.
The 23-year-old has been in fine form this campaign, and was a shining light throughout as United went close to a Premier League return.
He’s been so good, in fact, that he has received the highest average rating out of any United player from Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay.
There aren’t many people who know United as well as Hay, and for him to give Phillips a 7.39 for his performances this season is some achievement for the midfielder.
And Hay’s verdict should reaffirm to anybody watching that Phillips must be kept at Elland Road this summer.
The battler has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, as reported by Football Insider, with Bournemouth touted as a potential destination.
But the fact that somebody of Hay’s expertise is singing his praises, not to mention the fact that he is a firm fan favourite, should be enough to convince the board of just how important he is that he stays next season.
Phillips is key to this Leeds side, and he cannot be allowed to leave.