Leeds United fans were well prepared for interest in Kalvin Phillips this summer. The midfielder has long been touted with a move away from Elland Road, but the speculation seems a little bit more serious this time around.
Phillips is reportedly at the top of Manchester City’s shopping list as Pep Guardiola looks to replace Fernandinho, who has now left the Etihad Stadium. Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest in the England international, while there have been various links to other Premier League clubs with West Ham United and Aston Villa being spoken about, although it is unknown how credible those links are.
Leeds don’t have to sell Phillips this summer, but if their asking price is met and the player wanted to leave, they may find it hard to stand in his way. Here, Leeds Live take a look at his options.
Read more: Leeds United make quick Raphinha decision as Arsenal submit official offer for Brazilian
Stay at Leeds
Given the affinity he has with his hometown club, leaving Leeds would be a wrench for Phillips. It’s fair to say the club and its supporters would prefer to see him stay in West Yorkshire, where he is considered a hero.
Pros
Phillips was born in Leeds, he grew up in Leeds and he has progressed through the Leeds academy to play for his boyhood club. As such, it’s fair to say he is a relationship with the Elland Road crowd that he will struggle to find anywhere else.
He’s currently on his way to securing legend status and if he were to turn down the likes of Man City, it would certainly send a clear message about his passion for the Whites. Phillips helped United to secure survival last time around and they have been proactive in the transfer market since bringing in the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca.
The 26-year-old would undoubtedly play a key role for Jesse Marsch in their bid to climb the table moving forward and when he’s fit, he plays. That regular game time would help to keep him in the spotlight and potentially bolster his chances of earning a spot in the England side for the World Cup.
Cons
While Leeds have shown a desire to climb the league ladder next season, it’s hard to say at this stage that they won’t be involved in a battle at the foot of the table. They just did enough last time around, but there’s every chance Phillips could find himself in another relegation dogfight next season.
If he were to stay it would suggest he is willing to take the risk, despite it not being a great look for an England international to be fighting at the wrong end of the table. Financially speaking, Phillips would more than likely be passing up on a healthy raise, too.
Phillips may never get a better opportunity to join a Champions League side and in truth, it would be an extremely bold call to stay put.
Man City
The Premier League champions are the side leading the chase for Phillips and while there has been no official offer just yet, it seems the most likely option right now.
Pros
City have been firing admiring glances at Phillips for some time and it seems they are willing to splash a considerable amount of cash to take the midfielder to the Etihad Stadium. The move would represent a challenge for Phillips, but it’s one he would undoubtedly relish, vying for a spot in what many people believe is the best team in the world.
The opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola must be considered a big pull, too, especially for a midfielder looking to take his game to the next level. Phillips played his best stuff for Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa and there are similarities in what Guardiola demands from his players. He certainly has the passing range, energy and the tactical nous to be able to slot into the City side and play a similar role to what Fernandinho did under the Spanish head coach.
City are currently the favourites to win the Premier League next season and they’ve the shortest odds in the Champions League, too, a competition the midfielder has never played in. As such, when it comes to winning trophies and fulfilling ambitions, it’s hard to argue that City isn’t the right place to be.
Cons
The most obvious concern about going to Man City is that Phillips wouldn’t be the main man. He would almost certainly have a role to play, but he could find himself with a squad player tag and at the mercy of Guardiola’s rotation. Jack Grealish made the move to City last summer and has been involved regularly, but he has been in and out of the side and many believe the same fate could await Phillips with Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan also eyeing regular spots.
That type of rotation hasn’t damaged Grealish’s England credentials, but Phillips will be keen to play as much as possible ahead of the World Cup in November.
Somewhere else
Paris, West Ham and Villa are amongst those clubs reported to be keen on Phillips and it would seem there are pros and cons to each. However, given a move to any of those clubs seems unlikely at this stage we’ve grouped them all together.
Pros
The upside of a move to Paris doesn’t really need to be explained. Not only would Phillips have the opportunity to ply his trade next to Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, he would also be able to live in one of the most desirable cities in the world.
West Ham have been challenging for Europe over the last few years and a move there would not only be a step up, judged solely on the league table, it would also give him the opportunity to play in the middle alongside his England teammate Declan Rice on a weekly basis.
A move to Villa would allow Phillips to work under the tutelage of Steven Gerrard, who he undoubtedly looked up to as a young midfielder dreaming of making it as a professional.
Cons
Both PSG and West Ham would require moving away from his home and family in Yorkshire and while the French side do have Champions League football to offer, it would mean playing in a less competitive domestic league.
With Villa, Phillips would undoubtedly be criticised for making what is perceived a sideways move that does little to further his ambitions. While Leeds fans could understand moves to Man City or PSG, a switch to Villa would be harder to swallow and that could damage his status at Elland Road.
READ NEXT
Leeds United transfer warning amid uncertain futures of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha
Kiko Casilla statement could give insight into key Leeds United summer decision
Raphinha summer options assessed as Arsenal, Barcelona, Spurs, Chelsea vie for Leeds United man
Jesse Marsch's selection questions as Leeds United prepare for pre-season return
Sign up for our new 'Football Kit Obsessions' newsletter and win kits for you and your family
