The Athletic’s Leeds United journalist Phil Hay has recently discussed the club’s plans to sign a potential alternative for Kalvin Phillips.
Hay appeared on the latest episode of The Phil Hay Show and the panel discussed multiple issues involving the Whites. He talked about the club’s transfer plans for the summer and whether the Whites could potentially sign an alternative for Kalvin Phillips. Hay feels that Leeds’ issues can be solved by signing another defensive midfielder.
Would Pulgar be a good alternative for Phillips?
Yes
No
Phillips, 25, has made 18 Premier League appearances for Leeds this season as well as once in the FA Cup. However, the Englishman sustained a shoulder injury earlier in the season and was missing against Arsenal because of a calf injury. He’s missed five league games this term, but Leeds have won just one (as per Transfermarkt).
Hay discussed the need for another player who could be like Phillips himself and he believes that work is being done in this regard.
He said: “So for example, on Sunday, you had Struijk moving into midfield, you had Ayling across to centre-back, you had Jamie Shackleton coming in at right-back. I don’t know, it felt on that day – and I don’t think this is the first time it’s felt like this – overly complicated for a scenario which could be quite easily solved by having another recognised defensive midfielder in the squad.
“You know, the noises we’re hearing from Leeds are that they are going to look for a player like that in the summer.
“Not somebody to necessarily challenge Phillips or to fit in his place, but somebody who’ll be there who can step in and who’s ready to step in and is kind of skilled and don’t get me wrong, whoever comes in is going to have to go through the usual education with Bielsa – assuming Bielsa stays.”
TIF Thoughts on potential competition for Phillips…
Considering that Leeds have conceded four goals on three occasions in the absence of Phillips in the Premier League this season, he is one of their most important players and they need a player similar to him.
Leeds were linked with a move for Fiorentina’s Erick Pulgar at the turn of the year and according to FBRef, the Chilean’s attributes are similar to that of Phillips’. So if they are looking for potential rotation options for Phillips, signing Pulgar in the summer could be a sensible move.