There will be two types of planning going on behind the scenes at Leeds United. The first being, if the club is promoted to the Premier League and the other, if a third season in the Championship beckons.
Obviously, the board will hope it is the former. That the club can plan for a Premier League campaign and Daniel Farke guides Leeds United to promotion at the second attempt, the third of his managerial career.
Leeds currently sit top, but Sheffield United and Burnley closed the gap on the weekend. Following their 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said it will be a “titanic” battle.
But if the club are promoted, it opens up a new calibre of player that will be open to joining Leeds in the summer. One player that continues to be linked with a move to Elland Road is midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Lee Hendrie discusses Leeds United return for Kalvin Phillips
Leeds are interested in doing a deal for £20m-rated Phillips, though a loan from Man City is likely. The Thorp Arch midfielder has already gone on loan to West Ham and Ipswich, where he currently remains.
Reports even say that a deal for Phillips is done if the club are promoted, with Leeds coming close to a deal even in the Championship last season. Hendrie has backed a return to Leeds for Phillips on FLW.
“Since he left Leeds, he hasn’t been the same player – injuries and then not getting game-time with Man City. There is no doubt he has quality – you don’t move from Leeds to Man City for no reason at all.
“He was linked with lots of clubs, and he probably had a handful of choices. Leeds getting back into the Premier League, it might just be a good fit and, knowing Leeds very well, he could just slot back in there.”
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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If Kalvin Phillips joins Leeds, where does that leave Ilia Gruev?
Leeds currently have three defensive midfielders on the books. Ethan Ampadu starts without a doubt, the skipper is first choice but behind him Leeds have Ilia Gruev and Josuha Guilavogui on the books now.
Guilavogui will leave in the summer. Leeds have no plans to extend the veteran’s deal, having come in as a replacement signing. But if Leeds sign Phillips, Bulgaria star Gruev becomes a third-choice midfielder.
Already this season, he is being used as a rotational option. Of course, Ampadu has been used in central defence so there could be space for both Gruev and Phillips but would Gruev be willing to play back-up?