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With rumours linking Kalvin Phillips to both Aston Villa and Wolves this week, Leeds may very well be looking for a new defensive midfielder come the start of next season.
Of course, their hunt should start from within, and the man who most fits the bill at the club is Adam Forshaw. But it’s hard to see the former Middlesbrough man making the same impact as the 23-year-old in the anchor man role.
Phillips’ duties
The midfielder has been the heartbeat of Leeds’ team since Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival. Phillips has played as the holding midfielder in the Argentine’s 4-1-4-1 formation, and the destructive work he does in the middle of the park is what made them such a force last season.
If the Whites were to lose the 23-year-old, then it would be a massive blow, and they would need to replace him in that role.
It is a position that requires the player to be tough tackling, strong and tireless when running.
Forshaw not the man
The Argentine could be tempted to try Forshaw in Phillips’ role if he departs the club, and on paper it doesn’t look like a bad idea.
The 27-year-old makes 3.2 tackles per game, and he also plays more passes per 90 minutes than the 23-year-old does.
However, stats don’t tell the full story, and the Leeds man would probably struggle to fill his younger teammate’s shoes.
Although he is a decent enough midfielder, he just doesn’t possess the physical attributes to play in this role.
Bielsa’s system is built around pressing, and the man just in front of the defence has to be able to run for 90 minutes without tiring. Forshaw doesn’t have the strength or the stamina to fill the gap that Phillips would be leaving.
Leeds’ number four is better utilised when he can play next to someone like the 23-year-old, but if he was asked to play that role on his own he would most likely struggle with the physical demands the role entails.
