Kalvin Phillips continues to be linked with a return to Leeds United from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
Phillips has reflected recently on a difficult season with Ipswich Town. However, the former Leeds United midfielder now heads back to Man City where competition for midfield places is getting worse for Phillips.
In the midst of all that, Graeme Bailey has told Leeds United News that Phillips wants to come back to Leeds this summer in some capacity.
How likely that is has become clearer recently, with Graham Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post having his say on the situation regarding the 29-year-old’s future.
Photo by David Damnjanovic/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by David Damnjanovic/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Graham Smyth pours cold water on Kalvin Phillips return
Phillips has an achilles issue amid the links to Leeds. It doesn’t completely end Leeds’ hopes, but it’s certainly changed the chances of it happening this summer given he won’t be available until August.
Leeds legend Eddie Gray is unsure on Phillips returning, though, which is how some sections of the fanbase feel about reuniting with a former fan-favourite.
Phillips also remains under contract until 2028, which complicates matters given his hefty wages. There is no future for him at the Etihad but that doesn’t mean Leeds are a viable option, even if they make some sense.
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Smyth has explained the main hurdle that would need to be cleared before a return could be possible is that his wages are too high for a side only just leaving the Championship.
Leeds have a defined wage structure in place and Phillips’ earnings fall outside of that, as he signed a “life-changing deal” to join Manchester City and there are three years remaining on his contract.
Smyth states that, for a hypothetical permanent move back to Elland Road, he would have to agree to take a reduction and thus give up “an enormous sum of money.”
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.
However Phillips is on the kind of money that “only madness could inspire you to walk away from”. On top of that, a loan would be less than straightforward as well because his current side would have to agree to pay a huge chunk of the salary.
They did so when he was with Ipswich this season, but that doesn’t make it as simple this summer for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Kalvin Phillips’ seasons at Leeds United
It was under Marcelo Bielsa where Kalvin Phillips had the best seasons of his career as a professional.
He was the linchpin of the side as the anchor in midfield, capable of breaking up play and dictating attacks.
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
Utilised correctly, he could be that again. It could even be with Leeds. But are Leeds in a position to take risks on a player with a worsening injury record?
It’s maybe a risk worth taking for a year four or year five Premier League team, but not as a newly-promoted side.
Our verdict is avoid, for now.