Why Newcastle United should try to sign Kalvin Phillips
In an interview with Football Insider (h/t Express), Darren Bent has tipped Newcastle United to sign Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips in the summer, if their takeover goes through.
Phillips, 24, is a product of the Leeds United academy. The versatile midfielder made his first-team debut in 2015 under Neil Redfearn. Since then, he has steadily grown into a pivotal player for the Whites.
Till date, the Englishman has chalked up 175 appearances for the Championship outfit, bagging 11 goals and 10 assists. He has been one of the Whites’ best players this season under Marcelo Bielsa, helping the team push for Premier League promotion.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United have had another middling campaign in the top-flight. The Magpies find themselves in 13th place in the Premier League table, having picked up just 35 points from 29 matches.
Under Steve Bruce, the Tyneside outfit has done just about enough to stay away from the relegation battle. But they haven’t been good enough to push for a place in the top half of the table.
However, that could be set to change next season as Newcastle are subject of a £300m takeover bid by a Saudi Arabia-backed consortium. Should the takeover go through, the Magpies will have funds to overhaul their squad in the summer. And Darren Bent has urged the club to go after Leeds midfielder Phillips. (h/t Express)
Newcastle United’s midfield options
Newcastle United have a number of options in the middle of the park starting with Jonjo Shelvey, the Longstaff brothers – Sean and Matty, Isaac Hayden along with Jack Colback as well as on-loan midfielder Nabil Bentaleb.
However, Colback hasn’t featured this term and will be out of contract at the end of the season. Matty Longstaff has impressed in his breakthrough campaign but is also in the final days of his contract. And talks over a new deal have reached an impasse, meaning the youngster could be on his way out. (h/t Daily Star)
Furthermore, Bentaleb’s loan deal will expire at the end of the season as well. This would leave Newcastle short on quality options in the middle of the park. Hence, the manager should look to add another central midfielder to the squad before next season.
Having said that, Kalvin Phillips would be a viable choice for the Tynesiders to strengthen their ranks in the summer.
As iterated previously, the 24-year-old has been one of Leeds United’s best players this season, helping them push for promotion to the Premier League. In 31 Championship matches this term, Phillips has scored once and created two more. In the matches he has started, the Whites have been able to secure 14 clean sheets.
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Able to play as a centre-back as well, Phillips would provide manager with additional options, apart from bringing quality and depth to the midfield department.
Verdict
Newcastle United’s midfield unit could be depleted when the next season comes around, as Matty Longstaff and Jack Colback will be out of contract, while Bentaleb’s loan deal will expire. Hence, strengthening the midfield department would become of paramount importance for the club.
To that end, signing Phillips would be a wise decision by the club. He would add some much-needed depth and quality for the Magpies. And if he is able to replicate his form from this season, he would prove to be a fine addition for the club.
