TalkSport pundit Simon Jordan has given his thoughts on Kalvin Phillips’ future at Leeds United following reports regarding his future.
Having once been described as the ‘lynchpin’ of Leeds United, the 26-year-old’s absence through injury has been sorely missed this season as Leeds find themselves near the bottom of the table, but he could be set for an even longer spell of absence from the club if some transfer reports are to be believed.
Phillips’ future at the club is far from secure right now, a report from The Times has claimed that Aston Villa are the ‘frontrunners’ to sign him this summer in a £60m deal, whilst it was reported by The Sun that West Ham had tried to sign him in a £55m deal.
And with Leeds United’s place in the Premier League also not confirmed as they stand on the verge of being dragged back into a relegation battle, if Leeds were to find themselves going down this season, that might force them to sell one of their key assets. They may do so anyway if manager Jesse Marsch needs the funds in order to set the team up the way he wants to by wheeling and dealing in the transfer market.
And speaking about the matter on TalkSport, Jordan felt that despite the allure of clubs like Villa and West Ham, Leeds United may very well be the best place for him, even if this season hasn’t been the best for them in terms of results:
(1:16) “I think Leeds is a big club. I think Villa are a big club. I think West Ham are a big club. He’s in a nice position where he’s got this opportunity to consider between three clubs. If Leeds can get themselves focused and streamlined and are prepared to support whoever’s managing this football club, currently it’s Jesse March, I’d like to think he’d stay there.
(2:00) “I would make a case if I were if I was Angus Kinnear and I was Leeds United, that the potential of Leeds and the size of that football club is as big if not bigger than both the two football clubs we’ve just spoken about, Villa and West Ham.”
TIF Thoughts on Simon Jordan’s comments about Kalvin Phillips at Leeds United…
Will Kalvin Phillips stay at the club this summer?
Yes
No
Leeds United are certainly a club with ambition, with San Francisco 49ers’ chief Paraag Marathe, who owns a minority stake in the business stating back in 2020 that he sees the club competing for Champions League football at some point in the next decade, something that could become more possible as they increase their stake in the club.
But whilst Phillips might feel inclined to stay at the club that he supported growing up, if Leeds United aren’t able to grow in the way that West Ham United have in recent years, you do wonder how long that hometown factor will be able to keep dragging him back to Elland Road rather than move elsewhere.
It will certainly be interesting to keep track of this story as the summer transfer window draws nearer as the club may be forced into a very difficult decision.
In other news: Leeds star issues big three-word injury update with image on Instagram