Leeds United have again been linked with a move to sign Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City, but his form at Ipswich Town should prompt a re-think.
As Leeds are now eight games away from Premier League football, top of the league on goal difference in the Championship, there are unsurprising links emerging for the club prior to the summer window.
Leeds would need an overhaul in order to stay in the top flight next season, looking to avoid the fate of the last two sets of promoted clubs with immediate relegation.
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Leeds interested in Kalvin Phillips – midfielder pushing and Man City happy to cash in
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Reports are growing linking Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips with a move back to Elland Road this summer, as he looks surplus to requirements at the Etihad, during his second loan spell away from the club.
Football Insider’s recent report shares that Phillips, 29, is looking to push through a move back to his boyhood club, while his parent club are willing to take a “substantial loss” on him.
Signed for £45million in 2022, Phillips’ book value on PSR terms is likely to be around £22.5million this summer, halfway through his six-year deal, meaning Leeds may have to stump up around that fee in order for City to be happy to break even.
A permanent deal at Portman Road with loan club Ipswich Town appears very unlikely, with the Tractor Boys all but certain for the drop, with nine games left in the season, a nine-point gap to safety and a vastly inferior goal difference.
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Kieran McKenna gives Leeds very obvious ‘avoid’ verdict on Phillips deal
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Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich have learned the hard way that the gap between the top of the Championship and the Premier League is wide and the only way to bridge it is with consistently good recruitment.
In McKenna’s defence, he’s had to bring the level of his side up from League One to Premier League in two years, but the signings made this season haven’t been sufficient, including Phillips on loan.
Back in February, the Ipswich boss was eager to underline the behind-the-scenes fitness work that has had to be done to get Phillips into a place where he can play his best football.
“Of his 10 (league) starts, I don’t know, he’s been unavailable for maybe six or seven, possibly, with the suspension and with the niggle and ankle injury that he had,” McKenna said of Phillips per the EADT.
“There’s good competition in midfield. I think Jens Cajuste has been excellent when he’s played and has stepped up and delivered a really, really high level of performance. Samy (Morsy), of course, is the captain but also has been consistent with his performances as well.
“I think Kalvin’s played a good amount of games. I don’t know the exact numbers but 10 starts is considerably more league starts than what he’s made in the last two seasons.
“I think he’s improving and, of course, we all want things to accelerate really, really quickly. He’s in a much better rhythm now than he was when he arrived and hopefully that’ll continue and he can have a really big impact on the last bit of the season.
“Kalvin has shown good qualities and is hungry to help the team. We feel that he can have a good impact and a good part to play in the next few months.”
The fact that these comments came in mid-February and Phillips again missed a game following this only goes to strongly advise Leeds that a move for the Yorkshire Pirlo wouldn’t be wise.
Looking at his injury history on Ben Dinnery’s Premier Injuries, Phillips has missed a combined 34 weeks through injuries and fitness issues since leaving Leeds for Manchester City.