Paul Merson: Kalvin Phillips set for tough summer if Leeds United relegated, could seal ‘Unbelievable’ Aston Villa transfer
Paul Merson has insisted that Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips is set for a crunch summer should the Whites be relegated from the Premier League this weekend.
The Sky Sports pundit admitted that talks with Gareth Southgate over the England World Cup squad could decide where his future lies moving forward.
Aston Villa have been strongly linked, and Merson believes that would be an “Unbelievable” move for the Yorkshire Pirlo, who certainly isn’t too good for them in his eyes.
Writing in his latest column for Sky Sports on Tuesday evening [17 May], Merson made a big prediction that will not go down well at Elland Road.
“If Leeds do end up going down, it’ll be a hard summer for Kalvin Phillips,” he wrote. “There will be a big conversation with Gareth Southgate if I’m honest.
“He will go to Gareth and ask, ‘Do I need to be playing in the Premier League to make the World Cup squad?’ and I think that will be a big part of it.
“I don’t think Phillips is too good for Aston Villa, who have been linked with him recently. It’s a massive football club and he would be playing under one of the greatest English footballers of our generation in Gerrard.
“So Villa would be an unbelievable move for him.”
Never.
It is on the verge of impossible to imagine Phillips in another shirt that isn’t Leeds.
The Yorkshire Pirlo epitomises everything it means to play for the club, and he knows more than most what is expected given he is a fan first before a player.
Jesse Marsch will know that he simply has to stay in the Premier League if he wants to keep him around, as there is simply zero chance he stays if we drop into the Championship – it makes no sense.
The goal has to be to stay in the Premier League and then get Phillips to sign a new contract.
Merson is obviously fuelling the idea of a move to Aston Villa, but it would be hard to justify that move, hopefully, it doesn’t come to any of this and Leeds remain in the top flight.
Then this side will be built around Phillips, and then the push for Europe can begin. We know that is getting ahead of ourselves, but we have to remain positive right now.
Bring it on.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared if Andrea Radrizzani heard fans chants during the Brighton draw