As one of the most exciting playmakers in English football, Kalvin Phillips has many admirers. Once a box to box midfielder, Phillips seen his game rebuilt entirely under the watchful eye of Marcelo Bielsa. The end result was an exceptional progress that took him from a potential Championship-level midfielder to among the best in Britain. With Leeds United uncertain on where they will be playing next year in terms of divisions, though, reports suggest that Phillips could be on the move due to the uncertainty.
This would likely be a fee of around £50m, which most clubs interested have said they would pay without too much issue. This would see the arrival of an exceptional midfielder who could play at the base of the midfield, dictate play, and run the game. At the same time, his imposing frame and his immense stamina would mean that he could also contribute to the pressing and defensive side of the game more than any other holding midfielder at the club.
It would also likely provide someone like Pierre-Emile Hjojberg with an ideal partner in the middle of the pitch. Both would offer power, strength, height, stamina, and also a touch of craft. For Spurs, then, there is some pretty intriguing options to be found if they could land Phillips.
With talk that Harry Winks is out the door, too, it would be interesting to see if Leeds could use the young midfielder in the move. Having made his name at White Hart Lane and then having fallen out of favour after the new stadium move, Winks is in need of a second start.
Playing under a press-happy coach in Jesse Marsch could be just what he needs. Meanwhile, Phillips ticks almost every box for a modern Conte midfielder.
Conte also eyeing Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder
Another name being mentioned to be part of the midfield would be that of Joao Palhinha. The midfielder has become a key part of the Sporting Clube de Portugal side that won the Liga NOS last year. Having shown fine form both for club and for country, Conte could really benefit from the all-action nature of his game. Like Phillips, he would offer both stamina and craft that would help to add more variety to how Conte and co. can line up in the middle of the pitch.
Spurs are not alone in interest, though, with both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Paris Saint-Germain credited with an intertest. Another holding midfielder, he would likely be one or another to go with the midfield already there. However, with the future of several midfielders up in the air it would be hard to say with any certainty about what happens next.
The likes of Winks and Tanguy Ndombele are set to leave the club, which would open up a few gaps in the squad. Given the intensity of the Conte way of playing, and the importance of midfield to his system, could having multiple options bought in the summer be a better way of moving forward?
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