OPINION
There’s only so many kicks to the teeth you can take in one summer.
Firstly for Leeds United, missing out on the Premier League football after such a wildly promising campaign will have felt like the most crushing blow imaginable, and today brought news that beloved Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay, the oracle when it comes to all things Elland Road, is leaving his role with local outlet.
To add insult to injury, rumours have sprang up suggesting that Aston Villa could be in for star man Kalvin Phillips, as reported by the Telegraph, and Hay has claimed that the report could be founded in truth.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, Hay said: “Sounds very credible (the possibility of a bid from Villa).
“Bielsa will want to keep him though. That goes without saying.”
sounds very credible (the possibility of a bid from Villa). Bielsa will want to keep him though. That goes without saying.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 13, 2019
The Villans are rumoured to be eyeing up a £14 million move for the midfielder, and the prospect of losing him will have many United fans sweating buckets.
Philips is an integral member of Marcelo Bielsa’s side, not just in terms of his performance levels, but in the role he plays tactically too.
Losing him would certainly mean a replacement was required, or at the very least a change in formation.
Neither of those are particularly desirable outcomes, and the most preferable resolution would be keeping Phillips where he is.
The fact that Hay believes this deal has legs doesn’t bode well of course, but Phillips is a local lad, and his affiliation with his boyhood club might still come through.
For now, however, these are nervy times.