Former Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips sealed a deadline-day loan move to Sheffield United from Manchester City on Monday night.
Phillips has found himself on the fringes under Pep Guardiola since returning to the club last summer and was strongly linked with a reunion at Leeds United.
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However, Leeds never pursued a serious move across the past two transfer windows, instead prioritising other targets and deciding against bringing Phillips back to Elland Road.
With Manchester City keen to move him on before the window shut, a significant compromise was eventually struck in the final hours to get the deal over the line.
Chris Wilder tipped to get the best out of Kalvin Phillips
Phillips had had two unsuccessful loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich Town, and has made just one competitive appearance this season in the EFL Cup.
The midfielder needs this loan stint to work for him, and former Sheffield United head of recruitment, Lee Turnbull, feels Wilder could be the perfect manager for the 30-year-old.
He feels Wilder retains a sense of what he could get out of certain players, and believes Phillips could turn out to be a masterstroke signing in the Championship.
Turnbull said on BBC Sheffield: “This smacks of a Chris Wilder signing.
“Chris knows the landscape. You can have all the data in the world, but when you know and understand players like Chris and staff do, why wouldn’t you want a player of that magnitude?
“If they can get a tune out of Kalvin Phillips, he would be a wonderful signing for the Blades in the Championship.”
Wilder has already helped to revive Patrick Bamford at Bramall Lane, and Turnbull believes that if he can do the same with Phillips, he has a great player on his hands.
He added, “If Chris can turn water into wine with Kalvin Phillips, then he has one hell of a player on his hands.
“Let’s hope he can because Kalvin deserves that as well; we have seen how good he can be.”
Phillips’ career needs a boost at Sheffield United
The former Leeds player has returned to Yorkshire and will be playing in the Championship for the first time since winning promotion with the Whites in 2020.
He knows the Championship, and his experience in the second tier of English football will be a huge addition to the Sheffield United squad.
Kalvin Phillips’ Championship record
Championship Career Stats
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Wilder has already managed to get more out of Patrick Bamford this season and will now look to do the same with the former Leeds midfielder.
A strong spell at Sheffield United could open the door to fresh opportunities at the end of the campaign, when Phillips is expected to seek a permanent move away from Manchester City.
At a crucial point in his career, Phillips will be hoping Wilder can give him the same lift he has already provided to Bamford this season.