Jermaine Beckford has hailed Kalvin Phillips’ decision to join Manchester City as a ‘great move' - but the ex-Whites man also admitted he is devastated to see him leave. Leeds accepted a £45million bid for the 26-year-old last Friday after City boss Pep Guardiola set his sights on the midfielder as a successor to the departing Fernandinho and the midfielder had his medical on friday.
The Etihad is Phillips’ desired destination and will come with a pay-rise as well as Champions League football and a guarantee of silverware.
Phillips has been at Leeds since the age of 14, making his debut in 2015 and going on to feature 234 times for the club. He was transformed upon the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa, going from the fringes to the absolute core of the Championship winning side. And Beckford, despite being devastated at the departure, has backed the move in the next stages of Phillips’ personal development.
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“I think it's a great move. I’m devastated, obviously from a Leeds perspective, but I completely understand it. I think for him personally it's a massive move and a fantastic opportunity.” He told TalkSPORT. “An opportunity for him to challenge for titles on all fronts and play Champions League football in a World Cup year, for the reigning champions, for the best manager in the world, alongside some of the best players in the world. It’s incredible.
“It is (a risk) absolutely, but when you mention it like that you're not challenging yourself, you're not pushing yourself if you know you're a guaranteed starter every week. And then if you're not pushing yourself week-in, week-out you're not going to see the best of yourself. He had his eyes set on City because it's something very familiar to what he knows, to what he’s used to seeing and that's the great move that he’s made.”
The midfielder’s medical is expected to pass without problem, as are personal terms, which could mean an announcement could be made as early as the weekend. Leeds are already working hard to replace their talisman, with RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams and RB Salzburg’s Mohamed Camara favoured by director of football Victor Orta.
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