Phil Hay: Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips could see role change under Jesse Marsch
Jesse Marsch might try to use Kalvin Phillips in a different role at Leeds United, according to Phil Hay.
The American manager deployed a 4-2-2-2 system at RB Leipzig and he could do the same at Leeds.
Phillips, who has been unavailable for the past few months through injury, is likely to return soon and will no longer have Marcelo Bielsa managing him.
In his recent Athletic piece, Hay wrote, “Marsch used a 4-2-2-2 system at Salzburg and might try to use Phillips in a slightly different way to Bielsa, potentially in a deep role alongside another midfielder, but having him available at all would be a significant shot in the arm.”
Will it work?
Ralf Rangnick arrived at Manchester United trying to play a similar system.
It may work in leagues like Bundesliga where most teams are open and do not really have defensive structures in place.
However, the Premier League is an entirely different ball game and Marsch may need to be flexible with his system.
Phillips has played in a more advanced role before Bielsa arrived so there could be the possibility of him reverting to a freer midfield position.
What that means for the futures of players like Mateusz Klich or even Adam Forshaw, remains to be seen.
Regardless, the club need to sign two more central midfielders in January or they’re likely to find themselves in a similar mess.
In other Leeds United news, the club admire a Champions League manager with a 74% win rate to succeed Marcelo Bielsa