During an interview with Football Insider, Gabby Agbonlahor has tipped Leeds United to sell Kalvin Phillips. The former Aston Villa striker believes that the premise of the midfielder signing a new contract at Elland Road is to help the club gain a better value before they eventually cash in on him at the end of the season, thus drawing comparisons with Jack Grealish’s situation at Aston Villa.
Kalvin Phillips’ Potential Exit: A Massive Blow For Leeds
Leeds United haven’t had the best of starts to the season, securing just one win in their opening seven matches. One of the major issues has been the lack of productivity going forward while the inconsistency of the creative players hasn’t helped their cause either.
The potential exit of Kalvin Phillips can cause further trouble for a Leeds United side that lacks quality in the middle of the park. Both Mateusz Klich and Stuart Dallas have not been able to replicate their performances from last season, leaving Phillips as the only reliable option in the middle of the park.
The Englishman does indeed play a valuable role in offering composure in the middle of the park. His ability to find long, diagonal balls forward, coupled with this tactical versatility, make him arguably the most important player for the club.
As such, his departure from Elland Road could serve as a massive blow for Leeds United. It is set to create a void in the midfield department, potentially leading to further mediocrity.
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What’s The Next Step For Leeds United?
Kalvin Phillips remains likely to leave Leeds United sooner rather than later. In that regard, it would be a wise move for the club to already scour the market for potential replacements.
Among the current options, neither Pascal Struijk nor Jamie Shackleton has shown the quality to step in, while Robin Koch has struggled with injuries throughout the entirety of his career in England.
As such, the club may have to look into the market in search of potential options. Leeds have invested heavily in youth but they will require a more proven Premier League star in order to stand a better chance of replacing the Englishman.
The Whites could always go for a veteran like Axel Witsel as well. The Belgian international, currently at Borussia Dortmund, is likely to be available in the market next summer, for a free transfer.
