Kalvin Phillips: What clubs will fight Man Utd for Leeds star?

Martin Macdonald

• 30 Sept 2021 13:22 BST
• 6 min read

One of the breakout stars of English football over the past year has been Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The 25-year-old was born and bred in Leeds and has been a key member of the first-team squad since 2015, helping the club finally achieve promotion back to the Premier League in 2019.

Phillips has made the step-up to top-flight football seamlessly and is now a starter for the England national side under Gareth Southgate.

Along with Declan Rice, he formed a midfield partnership that would see the Three Lions through to the final of the European Championships.

He was previously hailed by team-mate Liam Cooper as one of the best midfielders in the world.

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“I’ve seen his journey from a young lad to where he is now and it’s been a pleasure to see – and he belongs there," he said of Phillips being involved with England.

“He works so hard here [at Leeds], all the boys and the people of Leeds think the world of him and he deserves everything that comes his way.

“I’ve seen how hard he works every single day, I see how much he takes on and turns it into his game. For me, he is one of the best midfielders in the world right now.”

His performances for club and country have naturally catalysed speculation regarding his future - even though he is under contract with Leeds until 2024.

In July, Phillips' agent claimed his client has no intention of leaving Leeds at the moment, saying:

"There may be clubs who are actually looking at Kalvin now because the more successful you are – playing for England in big tournaments – naturally breeds interest.

"But Kalvin is happy at Leeds and has no desire to move whatsoever. It’s more a case of ‘carry on what you’re doing for club and country’."

As Phillips continues to excel, however, it is inevitable that he will develop a desire to potentially play in the Champions League, a feat which is some way away for Leeds currently.

At the moment, three major clubs are interested in his signature.

Manchester United

Manchester United's problems in the centre of midfield are well-documented by now, with Fred, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek and Nemanja Matic often the targets of criticism.

Having addressed the centre-back and winger positions with the acquisitions of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho in the summer, Man Utd's next big deal will likely be on a central midfielder.

Declan Rice is the name most mentioned as being high on their list, but West Ham will likely demand in excess of £90 million for him, which could see them look elsewhere.

Phillips will still be expensive but perhaps not as expensive as that, and has emerged as just as impressive if not better than Rice for England.

There is, of course, the huge Man Utd-Leeds rivalry to think of here, as Phillips entire family are fans of the latter.

Liverpool

Liverpool never really replaced Georginio Wijnaldum as although Curtis Jones has stepped up and Harvey Elliott can play in a midfield three, a top-class recruit is required in midfield.

Jordan Henderson recently signed a new contract with the club but he will turn 32 next summer so it remains to be seen if he can consistently play Jurgen Klopp's intense pressing game into his mid 30s. At the very least, the midfield will need some help in there.

Phillips is a master of Marcelo Bielsa's pressing game and so could prove to be an ideal signing for Liverpool.

Chelsea

It appears that Phillips' future may be intrinsically linked to that of Rice, as Man Utd and Chelsea are interested in both players.

It may turn out to be the case that one player goes to one club and that will open up the door for the other move to happen.

The Blues have the option of signing Saul Niguez in the summer should his loan deal prove to be a success, but that money might be better suited going towards a deal for Phillips.