Alan Shearer claims Leeds United ‘badly missed’ Kalvin Phillips v Southampton
Alan Shearer suggests that Leeds United are wholly reliant on Kalvin Phillips after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Southampton.
The Whites were without a host of regular starters on the south-coast as Armando Broja proved to be the difference between the sides.
But speaking on BBC Match of the Day later on Saturday evening, Shearer pinpointed the 25-year-old England international as the biggest loss.
“They’ve got so many out,” he said. “They’ve got Raphinha out, [Luke] Ayling out, [Robin] Koch out, [Patrick] Bamford out, Phillips out, only three shots today, none on target, so they’ll get better.
“They just lack that energy, I think he [Phillips] sets the tempo for Leeds and they badly miss him.”
Dynamo
Phillips sets the tempo at Leeds, and without him, the Whites looked lethargic.
Pascal Struijk was handed a start in place of Phillips on Saturday, and while the 22-year-old is a gifted player in his own right, the drop-down in levels is noticeable.
As such, the club may be minded to search for someone who can cover for Phillips in the January transfer market.
There are plenty of players who can play in the advanced midfield roles, such as Mateusz Klich, Stuart Dallas, Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts, but they lack specialist cover in the holding position.
Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien was a target in the summer, but he recently signed a new contract and it is unknown whether the Whites will return for him.
In other Leeds United news, Simon Jordan was left stunned on Wednesday as Trevor Sinclair backed this 51-year-old to be the Whites boss.