Kalvin Phillips 'more and more convinced' about Elland Road future - Give Me Sport 7/4/22
Caleb Sage
Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has been “really
impressed” by Jesse Marsch’s work and is becoming more convinced about staying
at Elland Road, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The 48-year-old succeeded Marcelo Bielsa as manager at the
end of February and has taken the Yorkshire club closer to Premier League
survival.
Marsch has bounced back after a difficult start to life as
Leeds boss. The American lost his first two games in charge after Leicester
City and Aston Villa inflicted 1-0 and 3-0 defeats respectively on the Whites.
However, since then, Leeds have gone on to win their matches
against Norwich City and Wolves, while they also managed to pick up a point in
the 1-1 draw with Southampton.
It has opened up a six-point gap between the Yorkshire
outfit and the relegation zone, although they have played more games than most
of the teams around them.
Nevertheless, Marsch can be pleased with Leeds’ performances
and results in recent weeks and should be able to help them remain a Premier
League team come May.
What has Jones said about Marsch and Phillips?
The impact Marsch has made since arriving at Elland Road
seems to have impressed the Leeds dressing room, with Jones telling GIVEMESPORT
that Phillips has reacted positively to what the former RB Leipzig manager has
implemented.
Speaking to GMS, the insider said: “They’re starting to turn
the corner. He’s been really impressed by what Jesse Marsch has done so far. I
do think he’s becoming more and more convinced about staying but, of course,
money does talk.”
Can Marsch keep hold of Phillips?
At one point, it looked like Phillips was definitely heading
for the exit door, with several clubs being strongly linked with the
26-year-old.
According to The Times, Aston Villa are one of those outfits
and are prepared to pay £60m to acquire his services this summer.
However, in line with Jones’ latest words, the Daily Mail
claims Phillips could remain at Elland Road beyond this summer.
They claim the England international is ready to sign a new
deal despite interest from Villa, West Ham, Newcastle United and some other
clubs.
He is approaching the final two years of his current
contract, so the Leeds hierarchy will be eager for him to put pen to paper on
an extension. And right now, if Marsch can continue doing what he has been
doing, that certainly looks like a possibility, which has not always been the
case.
