Former England midfielder Trevor Sinclair says he believes that Kalvin Phillips will leave Leeds United at the end of the season if they don’t qualify for the Champions League.
Phillips has been one of Leeds’s most integral performers in the last four seasons, and has now established himself as an England regular.
He has earned plaudits from major figures from across the world of football. Italy legend Andrea Pirlo described him as a “rock” in midfield prior to the Euro 2020 final.
Phillips would start every game in that tournament – and impress onlookers whilst doing so.
Earlier this week, he was named England’s Player of the Year for 2021.
His manager at Leeds, Marcelo Bielsa, who has played a major role in his development, said back in July that Phillips was “at a big level in this position around the world”.
Sinclair believes that if Leeds do not make the top four this season, the 25-year-old will leave the club.
He told talkSPORT: “I think Kalvin Phillips is ready. If Leeds don’t really pick up this season and start threatening that top four, I think Kalvin Phillips will go.
“I was actually quite surprised that Manchester United didn’t have a little look at him, because when you start looking at that holding midfield role, and you’ve got Fred, [Scott] McTominay, [Nemanja] Matic, I just felt that, for me, if they got that position right they would have a chance at really competing for the Premier League.”
Phillips impressive in England win
Phillips played the full 90 minutes during England’s 4-0 victory over Hungary in World Cup qualifying last night.
He once again impressed, producing plenty of key tackles and interceptions.
One of his interceptions was even turned into a superb through ball to find Mason Mount, which resulted in England’s second goal of the evening.
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