Kalvin Phillips sends message to Ben White on Instagram after Leeds players return to training
The future of Ben White is still in the air but Leeds United want to sign the Brighton centre-back.
White has resisted Brighton’s efforts to get him to sign a new contract but the south-coast club have also turned down two bids from Leeds.
Leeds fans have been doing their bit, getting #FreeBenWhite trending on Twitter – much to the annoyance of Brighton supporters.
And Kalvin Phillips got in on the act on Instagram on Friday.
Responding to a post from Ian Poveda after the Leeds players returned to training at Thorp Arch, Phillips said, “Looks like I’m missing a certain somebody. #freemybrotherrrrr.”
Tyler Roberts responded saying, “#freehimup”.
White is wanted
Leeds United want Ben White. The Leeds fans want Ben White. And the Leeds players want Ben White.
That might not be enough to get his signature but Leeds can’t do much more to get the centre-back back in White.
Three things are in Leeds’ favour. First, White knows that he will be the first name on the team sheet if he signs for Bielsa. That might not be the case at Liverpool or Chelsea.
With the delayed Euro 2020 finals playing out next summer, that’s key for a player who’s being tipped for the England squad.
Graham Potter might be a seen as a progressive manager but, with all due respect, he’s not Bielsa.
Bielsa is the second big reason why Leeds have a chance of signing White. Bielsa turned White from an unknown into a player that sides like Liverpool and Chelsea have been linked with. His immediate future is surely better served with another season under Bielsa.
The third big reason White might sign is his relationship with the Leeds players.
He’s got an especially close relationship with Phillips and he went on holiday with his Leeds teammates.
Now they’re back in training, they seem to be missing him.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Very, very close’ – Sky Sports journalist claims Leeds on brink of securing major deal