Kalvin Phillips is reportedly the subject of talks over a possible return to Leeds United in the summer and Patrick Bamford has made a prediction.
It has been a difficult couple of years for Kalvin Phillips. Back in the summer of 2022, the England midfielder left Leeds in a deal worth £45m to join Premier League champions Manchester City.
But over the course of the next 18 months, Phillips managed just 31 matches for City with injury limiting him from game time – coupled with Rodri’s superb form for the Citizens.
It saw him go to West Ham on loan in January withPhillips claiming he would have joined West Ham from Leeds if City had not shown interest. But it has not gone to plan for the Elland Road favourite.
Phillips has made plenty of mistakes, particularly before goals against Bournemouth and Manchester United.
He’s also been on the end of a red card against Nottingham Forest and conceded a penalty in the 4-3 defeat to Newcastle recently.
Linked with a possible return to Leeds this summer if The Whites are promoted, Phillips’ situation was put to Patrick Bamford on the latest episode of his My Mate’s A Footballer podcast with Joe Wilkinson.
Bamford discusses Phillips amid Leeds links
Wilkinson put to Bamford that Phillips is linked with a return to Leeds and asked Bamford what he feels is needed next.
Wilkinson asked: “There was talk of him coming back to Leeds. What do you think he needs at the moment?”
Bamford replied: “I think for Kalv, he went to City, training with top players which will bring on your level. But there is a big difference to training every day. Playing a few minutes, to playing match after match.
“Unfortunately for Kalv, he’s gone to West Ham where he hasn’t got match sharpness. He’s playing catch up because it is mid-season. Social media is horrible. It’s unfair. He doesn’t go from being a top player.
“Winning England’s Player of the Year, to all of a sudden not being good enough to play for any team in the Prem. Next season, wherever Kalv goes, he’ll get a good pre-season. We’ll see the best of him again.”
Leeds reportedly in Phillips talks
Leeds are supposedly in talks to sign Phillips and a loan deal could be on the table to land the midfielder but promotion is key. City want a £30m fee for a permanent move, with his £150k-a-week wages an issue.
Andy Townsend recently claimed that the only way for Phillips to get back to his best is by joining Leeds, where he is loved. That affection from fans would help the England man get back to his best level.
It makes sense given Phillips’ best form has come in a Leeds shirt and he has failed to return to that level since leaving Elland Road. Would he fit Daniel Farke‘s side? Leeds certainly need central midfielders.
