Phillips has reportedly attracted interest from Man Utd
Marcelo Bielsa believes that Kalvin Phillips would only leave Leeds if it was guaranteed that the legacy he has built at the club remained intact.
The 25-year-old has attracted interest from a number of suitors after an impressive Euro 2020 campaign, which has been followed up with a number of impressive performances in what has been an underwhelming start to the season for Leeds.
Phillips – who was born in Leeds and has been at the club since the age of 14 – has been linked with a move to Manchester United this week, with the Red Devils reportedly stepping up their interest in the England international.
After being voted as England’s player of the tournament at Euro 2020, the midfielder has once again been named in the England squad for next week’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary.
Whilst Bielsa will be desperate to keep hold of Leeds’ No 23, he has also stated that the only way he could see Phillips leaving Elland Road is if he could ‘guarantee that the link to the place where he was born remains intact’.
Bielsa asked about Phillips' future (re the Man Utd links this week): "That's a question for Kalvin to answer. But he has a conduct I've rarely seen in a player. He will be loved definitively in the place he belongs." #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) September 30, 2021
“I’m sure the day he leaves Leeds and the way that he does it, far from provoking disappointment – of course it will generate disappointment – but it’s going to solidify his link to the club, the people and the city,” said the Argentine.
“I’m sure he would only leave if it’s guaranteed that the link to the place where he was born remains intact. He will know how to do it.”
Following rumours linking the midfielder to Leeds’ bitter rivals United, Bielsa stated that he’s a ‘very valuable player’ for the Yorkshire outfit.
When he was asked whether or not he was confident of Phillips staying at Leeds, Bielsa said: “That’s a question Kalvin needs to answer. Of course for us he’s a very valuable player. We have to adapt ourselves to how he feels belonging to Leeds.”
Bielsa added: “I have seen in him the conduct I have very rarely seen in a player.
“In how football is right now, for a player to decline a team above the level where he is at, due to the love of a club where he is at, is not frequent.
“I have the certainty Kalvin is going to enjoy for the rest of his life decisions like the one he made. He will be loved for always in the place he was born and where he belongs.”
Phillips is likely to start for England when the Three Lions travel to Andorra on October 9.
Related links:
- Kalvin Phillips pays tribute to gran who died from Covid after England win
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer responds to Gary Neville’s criticism of Man United’s style
- Hungarian FA handed fine and stadium ban for racist abuse of England players
