Yes there’s better out there but I wouldn’t say cheaper. I’d take Phillips over rice. Will save us a lot of money which we can then focus on other positions which we need. Phillips is probably a better presser then rice aswell.
Kalvin Phillips
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Phillips is ready to step up. There’s no doubt about it.
Strange people are so averse to him when he's miles better than any current DM option we have. Touchameni is the ideal signing but past him we are going to be throwing darts at any DM signing anyways.
It would go some way to explain Rashford's form if he's playing without his specs.
Being better than we have isn't a good enough reason to sign anyone. He's never really impressed me anytime I've seen him.
It would only make sense if sending Mctominay to Leeds in part exchange to reduce the cost. Otherwise it’s continuing policy of massively over paying for Premier League players who aren’t anything special.
We’ll never finish rebuilding if our targets are likes of McGinn, Kane, Phillips and Rice because prices will mean we just won’t be able to bring in enough players.
We’ll never finish rebuilding if our targets are likes of McGinn, Kane, Phillips and Rice because prices will mean we just won’t be able to bring in enough players.
Absolutely get this done.Neves ? 
You can't downplay the born and raised Leeds fan part. Most fans genuinely see him as their favourite player.
There's murals for him in the city, he's often in bars sitting with fans etc. It would be a massive move on his part to throw that away to join us.
There's murals for him in the city, he's often in bars sitting with fans etc. It would be a massive move on his part to throw that away to join us.
Phillips--Neves--Fred
Don't think the league is ready for this midfield
Don't think the league is ready for this midfield
And with money left TBH. Rice at 150M is way too much. He's good, but not 150M good.
Not a fan? I know he doesn't have the same skill set of midfielders I see you usually tout, but I think he has scope to improve massively in a better team.
There are two clubs we always got it right when we signed them from, Leeds and Sporting. Signing players who played or used to play for Leeds never go wrong. Cantona, Rio, Irwin.
What about Smudge?
edit: never mind @JPRouve already pointed that out.
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We absolutely need some engines in midfield and he’s a world class presser https://fbref.com/en/players/4f565d77/Kalvin-Phillips but I honestly worry that he’s too limited in all other aspects.
I actually like him as a player he’s got the admirable bit of dickishness all sides need but I know we’ll get rinsed for £40m to sign him and at that point I’d rather we push the boat out a bit more. Maybe the sigh was harsh…
Yeah, I think that's a fair reservation. I felt like I rated him more after the Euros, so maybe I have a rose tinted view of his potential.
I'd be disappointed if he was the only midfield signing, I think we certainly need creativity in there if we're losing Pogba.
Am I the only one who'd prefer him to Rice?
But would you not expect Fred to be able to do much of the same as Phillips did in that video for England against Croatia?
We have enough creativity with Bruno and Fred. Pogba adds nothing at this stage. Walking pace long balls for nobody to chase. We need guile, legs, pressing and someone who can pass a football around at a high tempo. I don’t think we will play with a DLP. More a box to box destroyer/playmaker
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I think he’ll absolutely solidify our central areas and he’s definitely got the physicality we’d need in a pressing midfield so he could well be the inglorious bastard we need. If (and it’s a huge if) we can sign him and a really creative CM too it could be a stroke of genius.
One thing nobody can deny is he’s a world class presser and if that’s the direction we’re taking we absolutely need someone like that so it would improve our first XI and enable us to play a Ten Haag system a bit easier.
I really just worry about the lack of ball progression the Maticesque passes but if we play a quick turnover system the spaces open up so who knows.
He’s absolutely better than no signing in midfield so if the price is right then I’m warming to the idea.
Id be so happy if we pulled this off
I think the (and it's a slim chance) only way he'd come to us is if Leeds were relegated. He's Leeds born and bred and idolised by their fans.
I think he's on relatively poor money though (i've heard about £25k per week) so i could see Leeds cashing in and him going to a Villa/Newcastle.
I think he's on relatively poor money though (i've heard about £25k per week) so i could see Leeds cashing in and him going to a Villa/Newcastle.
Being an England starter doesn't mean much.It might be fair but no way Leeds sell one of their most important players, an England starter no less, to one of their most bitter rivals for £40million, not unless they get relegated.
Its the same with West Ham and Rice. You could argue he shouldn't be worth more than £50-60million, but we'd be lucky if they'd accept double that.
It's precisely why I hope we move away from signing overpriced English players. I still feel bummed about spunking £130million on the chuckle brothers AWB and Maguire
Yeah, I'm not saying they have to be a DLP, but Pogba does have quality and that needs replacing. Whatever mould that comes in, if it's a proficient ball carrier who keeps the ball well or a progressive passer. I dont mind!
Totally agree on your point about Matic - genuinely in my opinion he is technically our best midfielder for me, he's just lacking physically for the pace of the game, late in his career.
The price is also key as well, I wouldn't be expecting a massive fee, so we will see if anything comes from it.
He's been very open about hating us (though so did Alan Smith and there was an actual rivalry back then)
Like Leeds he's had a bad season whereas Rice has no doubt kicked on different kind of number 6 though Rice being more of a destroyer and ball carrier while Phillips more of a sitter. Together a better pair than McFred
Like Leeds he's had a bad season whereas Rice has no doubt kicked on different kind of number 6 though Rice being more of a destroyer and ball carrier while Phillips more of a sitter. Together a better pair than McFred
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I wouldn’t call Phillips a tempo setter.
Yeah maybe not, I guess I meant he's more of a Carrick type no 6 in terms of his sitting, interceptions and passing as opposed to Rice who's more all action
I would expect Phillpps to be utilised similar to how Bielsa used him in a deeper role and not how Southgate used him.
Fred I don't believe can play that role as effectively deeper. And with Phillips as the deepest midfielder, he can be paired with a controlling #8 ,who not only provides the craft and guile on the ball, but also has the mobility to quickly transition back into position to thwart potential counters.
So for me I'd love to see something like the below in the mid to long-term. And I think Phillips has more to show than what we've seen under Bielsa so far, where in the last year of his (Bielsa) tenure, things got extremely reckless which put the players in the defensive phase under immense pressure. The man orientated pressing which was utilised by Bielsa was something that went badly wrong this season. But I think under a more controlled chaotic type setup we'd probably see a even better Phillips.
-------------phillips-----------
Bellingham-----Tonali---
I don't think we're gonna see Tonali leave Milan anytime soon but the above is the template that I'm hoping we look to make a reality. Hannibal has the potential traits to develop into a controlling #8 in the mid to long-term. So I'm hopeful he can come good for us. Everyone attacks and everyone defends.
Deals like this should be straightforward. Put in a reasonable offer, they reject it, attempt to meet somewhere in the middle and if they reject it then move on. Sack your whole scouting department if they can't find someone of a similar or better level as an alternative.
Everyone has PTSD for moves like this due to how Maguire and Awb were handled.
Everyone has PTSD for moves like this due to how Maguire and Awb were handled.
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I’m not sure Carrick is a good comparison either
Thoroughly average.
Clearly we will cock this up. Yes he’s not world class but may well be a highly useful component in a Ten Hag shaped machine. But the metrics of his value to the owners will be based around social media likes so I can’t see it happening
I think I might. Rice is better, but a Fred - Phillips midfield duo is probably better than a Fred - Rice duo. Phillips passing and distribution from the back is better and that's Fred's biggest flaw.
In an ideal world we would sign two new CMs but doesn't seem too likely. And Phillips would presumably give more scope for further signings than Rice would.
When it comes to DM options it sure as feck is. Otherwise you start the next season with McT at the 6 still while saying there “wasn’t any value in the market”
And he’s in a suicidal system yet they were always clearly much worse when he wasn’t in the team these past two years.
He has been schooled by Bielsa - that means he can work his arse off and get up and down the pitch and do whatever is needed - played really well in the Euros is completely different to the lazy attitude we currently show.
Would cost a fraction of Rice and would be a great signing if it was possible. Hunger and desire in abundance….iffy injury record though this season…..also can’t see Leeds letting him go to us…..
Would cost a fraction of Rice and would be a great signing if it was possible. Hunger and desire in abundance….iffy injury record though this season…..also can’t see Leeds letting him go to us…..
Sheer desperation from a lot on here. Yes he can run a lot but so can Fred. Hes not even coming off a great season and at best he was decent for England, world class midfield displays weren't really a part of their progression. They kept it tight and did enough against some average sides, it doesn't mean every element of the side was class. Phillips is no way near the level.
A good player, but good enough to get us back to the top table? Not a chance!
He only started with lot of injuries this season though and he wasn’t the only Leeds player suffered injury. May be it was something to do with Bielsa like his training or something.
Phillips is a DM in Leeds. Fred is not a DM
A firm no for me.
He's someone you have as a squad player. Our midfield is nearly bottom half of the table quality, adding Phillips would make us only slightly better.
Neves is comfortably a better player.
He's someone you have as a squad player. Our midfield is nearly bottom half of the table quality, adding Phillips would make us only slightly better.
Neves is comfortably a better player.
Neves is not a lone defensive midfielder, Phillips can supposedly play this role.
Only really seen him via the euro's and Rice had a very important influence positionally he was solid defensively. Not seen enough to have a strong opinion but if he's ideal for ETH system that's enough to go ahead.
I think the club could be linked with a few lesser anticipated transfers but the credentials of ETH coaching and management could help the players raise their game a level. I'm sure the Liverpool fans were hardly excited at the prospect of Mane when he signed, or even Salah from Roma as he was nowhere near as prolific as he turned out to be.
Only really seen him via the euro's and Rice had a very important influence positionally he was solid defensively. Not seen enough to have a strong opinion but if he's ideal for ETH system that's enough to go ahead.
I think the club could be linked with a few lesser anticipated transfers but the credentials of ETH coaching and management could help the players raise their game a level. I'm sure the Liverpool fans were hardly excited at the prospect of Mane when he signed, or even Salah from Roma as he was nowhere near as prolific as he turned out to be.
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