Leeds United have been linked with a return for Kalvin Phillips this summer, with the Man City man out of favour under Pep Guardiola.
In the summer of 2022, Kalvin Phillips left boyhood club Leeds United for City. While it was painful for Leeds fans to lose the England international, many understood his decision.
Injuries, the form of Rodri, and public criticism from Guardiola in press conferences have since seen Phillips lose confidence and go on loan to both West Ham United and Ipswich Town.
They have been confidence-building exercises and neither have gone to plan for Phillips at all. Now, the 29-year-old is seeking another chapter in his career and that could yet be a return to Leeds.
Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers - Sky Bet Championship
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Kalvin Phillips makes surprise appearance in Leeds
Phillips is continuing to drop in the Man City pecking order. With that said, Graeme Bailey has told Leeds United News that Phillips wants to come back to Leeds this summer.
He remains under contract until 2028. Earlier in the year, we revealed that Leeds could target a loan deal for Phillips in a bid to get around the cost of an expensive transfer deal.
It’s even been claimed recently that Leeds could be in the mix for Phillips after exhausting other midfield options of late, with frustration growing from their pursuits of Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, and Sean Longstaff.
It’s been reported that City have an asking price of £20 million for Phillips, but a loan deal is much more likely over the course of the next few weeks if anything does indeed materialise.
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Dean Smith of The Square Ball is currently part of a play called Through It All Together at Leeds’ playhouse theatre, which is about the Marcelo Bielsa era of the club.
As shown above, Phillips has been to watch the show in Leeds. Smith shared the fact on Twitter/X, and Phillips was also happy to show his support via Instagram as well.
Phillips said: “Amazing show at Leeds playhouse watching through it all together! 💛💙“
Amid the reported interest in a potential reunion between both sides, it was an interesting post from Phillips and is likely to have many Leeds fans thinking about a return.
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Kalvin Phillips’ seasons at Leeds United
It was under Marcelo Bielsa where Kalvin Phillips had the best seasons of his career as a professional player, becoming an England star in the process.
He was the linchpin of the side as the anchor in midfield, capable of breaking up play out of possession and instigating attacks with longer raking passes in possession.
Season/League Appearances Goals Assists
2014/15 – Championship 2 1 0
2015/16 – Championship 10 0 0
2016/17 – Championship 40 1 2
2017/18 – Championship 43 7 3
2018/19 – Championship 46 1 3
2019/20 – Championship 40 2 2
2020/21 – Premier League 30 1 2
2021/22 – Premier League 23 1 1
Kalvin Phillips’ Leeds career
Getting his confidence back, utilising him correctly, and playing to his strengths and he could be that dominant force again. It could even be with Leeds, but are they in a position to take risks on a player with a worsening injury record?
It’s maybe a risk worth taking for a year three, four, or five Premier League team, but not as a newly-promoted side. Leeds need players who will hit the ground running instantly this summer.