Leeds United supporters may be excited about the possibility of Kalvin Phillips returning to the club, but some might not appreciate what he previously said about the prospect.
Although there is still a long way to go in the current season, with the Championship title race intensifying, Leeds appears to be making early moves in preparation for the summer transfer window. Reports suggest that the club is working to bring Phillips back after his difficult three-year spell at Manchester City.
It has been revealed this week that Leeds is in the process of securing the return of their former star, with Pep Guardiola reportedly giving his approval for the move. Additionally, it is claimed that Leeds has reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with the midfielder. However, a final agreement with Manchester City is still required, as the Premier League champions are said to be asking for £20 million for the 29-year-old. Despite this, the possibility of Phillips returning to Elland Road seems increasingly realistic.
Phillips’ Comments on a Potential Return Last Year
This is not the first time a return to Leeds has been close. The club nearly secured Phillips last summer, but their failure to win promotion to the Premier League—after suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Southampton in the Play-off final—was a key factor in his decision to join Ipswich Town instead.
However, in an interview from November last year, Phillips suggested that he might have chosen Ipswich even if Leeds had been promoted. Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times, he expressed his disappointment at Leeds’ failure to go up but admitted he was still drawn to Ipswich’s story.
“I went to that game and was devastated they didn’t go up,” Phillips said. “Obviously, I wanted Leeds to get promoted. It’s a club very close to my heart. Even if Leeds had been promoted and Ipswich had maybe come up in the play-offs, then it still would have been a very close call as to where I’d have gone because I just love the story of Ipswich.”
This admission might not sit well with Leeds fans now that he is potentially returning to the club.
Phillips’ Performance at Ipswich Town
Since leaving Leeds, Phillips’ career has struggled to gain momentum, as he was largely overlooked at Manchester City. A loan spell at West Ham last season proved disastrous, but he has managed to regain some form with Ipswich Town this season.
Kalvin Phillips’ stats at Ipswich Town:
Appearances: 19
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Yellow Cards: 3
Red Cards: 1
Although his time at Ipswich has had some setbacks—including being sent off in his seventh game—he has steadily put in solid and hardworking performances in recent weeks.
While his contributions may not be enough to prevent Ipswich from relegation, Phillips has shown that he is still capable of competing at a Premier League level.