Leeds United could make a dramatic move to replace Glen Kamara this summer.
Leeds United will be incredibly low on confidence moving into the Championship playoffs after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Southampton on the last day.
That made Ipswich Town’s promotion via the automatic spots in the second tier a breeze against Huddersfield Town, leaving the Whites to deal with the anxieties of two legs against Norwich City before attempting to break through to the Premier League at Wembley.
If they succeed, it will be an exciting transfer window, but not necessarily for Glen Kamara, who may be replaced by one of the prospective incomings who have recently wobbled for Daniel Farke’s promotion-chasing side.
Leeds goes after old hero.
The main transfer rumours coming out of Elland Road appear to revolve around a prospective reunion featuring Kalvin Phillips, who is anxious to revive his fading career wherever he goes next.
Formerly a homegrown star in West Yorkshire, Phillips’ career has fallen apart since leaving the comforts of the Whites for his shiny new Manchester City home, with his current loan spell at West Ham United also failing miserably.
After failing to regain his form at the London Stadium, with only three starts in 12 games, sources suggest the problematic 28-year-old may return home this summer.
With Fabrizio Romano just announcing that Phillips will be released by Pep Guardiola’s side, Leeds might find themselves in pole position to re-sign their former midfielder.
Leeds will hope Phillips can turn back the clock if he does return to his beloved Whites, putting the past few nightmare years behind him by donning the familiar white strip again.
Why Phillips should replace Kamara
This prospective sale might mean the end of Kamara’s role as a primary holding midfield presence at Elland Road, as the Finland international has struggled during difficult periods for Farke’s team this season.
Yorkshire Post columnist Tom Coates gave Kamara a dreadful 4/10 rating after the final day defeat to the Saints, adding that the ex-Rangers star ‘provided little’. If a spectacular move can be made, Kamara’s days may be ended.
Leeds may seek to Phillips as a more combative alternative for the ex-Rangers player to give the Whites more bite in the middle of the pitch with Ilia Gruev after only winning one game against Russell Martin’s men in a poor performance.
Phillips was a standout player for the Whites in his final full Premier League season, with slick displays on the ball and five huge chances created, as well as a mean streak of getting stuck in and combative when needed, earning ten yellow cards.
In contrast, while Kamara has been a slick operator at the point for Farke in the second division this season, the 28-year-old has only produced two huge opportunities despite an average passing accuracy of 93% per 90 minutes.
Phillips’ heroics for the West Yorkshire club would see Marcelo Bielsa, who developed the academy product into a top talent under his tutelage, describe the present out-of-sorts Hammers loanee in 2021 as a “star” capable of excelling at the highest level.
Leeds will just hope that if they can make this much-discussed potential reunion a reality, Phillips isn’t a lost cause and can be a hero once more under Farke, rather than flopping back at Elland Road and further tarnishing his name.
