One of the key members of Marcelo Bielsa’s impressive Leeds United team was versatile midfield Kalvin Phillips, and after a solid season for the Championship side, Phillips is being targetted by Premier League side Bournemouth.
The Cherries are set to make a £15 million move for the defensive midfielder, after signing Lloyd Kelly from Bristol City for a reported £13 million.
Phillips has come through the Leeds United academy, and has made 139 appearances for the club in all competitions after making his debut in 2015.
The 23-year old was an ever-present fixture in Bielsa’s team that narrowly missed on Premier League football after being dumped out of the Championship play-offs semi-final by Derby County this season.
Phillips made 46 appearances for the club in all competitions, completing three assists as well as scoring one goal.
Bournemouth are also reportedly keen to sign Phillips’ team-mate, teenage winger Jack Clarke, but Phillips is the priority at the moment.
The likes of Tottenham and Arsenal were linked with a move for Phillips in the January transfer window, while Norwich City, who have now been promoted to the Premier League, are also reportedly interested in his signature.
Is Kalvin Phillips the player Bournemouth need?
Eddie Howe currently has a plethora of options for the central midfield role at Bournemouth. Andrew Surman, Jefferson Lerma, and Dan Gosling played in central midfield in the last season, while former Leeds United player Lewis Cook, has also played there.
Talented Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks mostly played on the right hand side, but many believe that he will be shifted to a deeper and central position.
Phillips, perhaps, offers something different to what Bournemouth have currently. The 23-year-old is deep-lying midfielder who can control the tempo of the game with his calm passing and distribution, while also providing cover for his central defenders.
The 23-year old has excelled in his deep role this season, and adapted well to the pressing game that Bielsa asks of his players, dispossessing opponents with his accurate tackling.
Phillips has also played in the heart of the defence whenever Leeds have played a back-three formation, and has looked calm and composed at the back.
It is only a matter of time before he plays in the Premier League after Leeds United missed their chance to get promoted to English football’s top division.