Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has addressed the possibility of a return for Kalvin Phillips as he battles his own midfield crisis.
Kalvin Phillips was a firm favourite during his time at Leeds, as he established himself as one of the best midfielders in the country under Marcelo Bielsa.
However, an ill-fated move to Manchester City saw Phillips’ promising career stall as a loss of form and fitness saw him fall down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola.
With the England international struggling for game time at the Etihad, Phillips has been linked with a return to Elland Road in recent days, with the 49ers reportedly enquiring about a potential loan deal in January.
However, Leeds cannot afford to think short-term when it comes to any deal to bring Phillips back to West Yorkshire, as Daniel Farke addressed the recent speculation.
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Daniel Farke greets Pep Guardiola.
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Leeds United have to think beyond the current midfield injury crisis on Kalvin Phillips deal
Reports suggesting that Leeds are interested in a deal to sign Phillips have coincided with an injury crisis in the Leeds United midfield ahead of the game against Man City.
Sean Longstaff will miss a run of games after suffering a calf injury, which could keep him out until the new year, and Anton Stach is a doubt for the game against Chelsea, after sitting out the trip to the Etihad as he recovers from a concussion.
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With Ethan Ampadu just one booking away from a one-match suspension, an area of the Leeds squad that was considered one of the strongest suddenly looks threadbare.
Phillips’ lack of first-team football is well known, and City would demand a significant contribution to his reported £250,000-a-week salary.
With Leeds struggling to break teams down and short on numbers in attack, spending precious resources on a position that will be well-stocked by the time the transfer window opens again would be the wrong move.
Kalvin Phillips warming up for Ipswich Town ahead of facing Fulham.
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What did Daniel Farke say about a Leeds United move for Kalvin Phillips?
Speaking in his weekly press conference ahead of the game against Manchester City, via Leeds Live, Farke was asked whether Phillips could make an emotional return to Leeds in the January transfer window.
Although Farke expressed his admiration for Phillips and what he has achieved in his career, the Leeds boss said he would not speak about a player who is under contract with another club.
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“You are able to make good runs of results, but at the end you can make bad results and continue. Because the opponents are tough. Every opponent is really prepared. They have long weeks to prepare. So it’s so demanding. So you have to be ready.”
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Daniel Farke and Pep Guardiola shaking hands
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Farke said: “First of all, I’m full of respect for what he’s done. I think he has done amazing things with this club and had a fantastic time, and that can’t get enough praise.
“But I don’t want to speak about players who are under contract for other teams. Also, like who we could have signed or tried to sign anyhow – I don’t want to comment on this.
“I just concentrate on the players that we have actually signed, and that’s all I can say.”
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