Fans of Leeds have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relays an article concerning Kalvin Phillips and Alfie McCalmont.
According to the article in Leeds Live, last summer, director of football Victor Orta questioned Marcelo Bielsa about how the manager would want to progress if an acceptable offer was made for Phillips.
Bielsa reportedly then went away and watched all Leeds United U23 fixtures from the 2018/19 season, before returning to Orta that the club could make do without Phillips, as McCalmont was ready to make the step up to first-team football.
In reaction to the article, which was shared by Beren Cross on Twitter, fans of the club have flocked to have their say on the matter, with many heaping praise on their manager, while others have pointed out that Bielsa’s comments are a huge endorsement for McCalmont.
Do you believe Alfie McCalmont has the ability to replace Kalvin Phillips?
Yes
No
Last summer, Orta asked Bielsa what he wanted if someone blew the bank for Phillips. Bielsa went away and watched every under-23 match of 18/19. He came back and said Alfie McCalmont was ready.. A long read on Bielsa's next project. #lufc https://t.co/ZZlj4NDlLu
— Beren Cross (@BerenCross) May 18, 2020
I don’t care what anyone says! No other manager is doing that much graft and also in effect turning down the option to sign someone else for decent money! I just love the man so much ??
— Joe wainman?? (@WainmanJoe) May 18, 2020
Phillips is class. Leeds should still pull out all the stops to keep him
— Martyn Norton (@martynnorton393) May 18, 2020
I think Alfie is ready too!!
— Dylan Mansfield (@DylanMansfield6) May 18, 2020
Some endorsement for young Alfie coming from the master must have felt ten feet tall after reading that MOT.
— R.Cartwright ?? (@rogercart57) May 18, 2020
I love this guy
— Matt (@LUFCWAFFLE) May 18, 2020
Remember watching him at York pre season. Obviously didn’t wanna lose phillips but remember thinking mccalmont is a good replacement if we lost him
— Sean Hunter (@Seanrh11) May 18, 2020
Why he hasn’t gone out on loan cos he’s molding him ready to be a permanent fixture in side when times right his way saves club millions
— Kenny Brown (@kennybrown1964) May 18, 2020
Class is Alfie. Bit of a Phillips/Kilkenny hybrid
— Batesy (@BatesyV3) May 18, 2020
What do we think?
Although Bielsa is reported to be of the opinion that McCalmont is ready to fill the boots of Phillips, the 20-year-old will certainly have some catching up to do if he is to replicate the midfielder’s performances this season.
Over 31 appearances in the league, Phillips has scored one goal and provided two assists, while averaging a WhoScored match rating of 7.20.
Meanwhile, McCalmont has yet to feature in a Championship fixture for Leeds this term, with his two appearances for the first team in 2019/20 coming in League Cup fixtures against Salford City and Stoke City.
However, despite his lack of game time, it would seem as if some of these Leeds fans share their manager’s opinion of McCalmont.