Leeds United urged to sign Liverpool defender under one condition
has pushed Leeds United to recruit Nat Phillips, a center-back for Liverpool, this summer, but just to add to the team rather than to take Joe Rodon or Ethan Ampadu’s place.
The Sunday Mirror [28 April, page 28] reports that the Whites tried to sign him during the January transfer window, but he ended up signing a six-month loan with Cardiff City.
Even if Leeds are not able to win promotion back to the Premier League through the play-offs, it is said that they are prepared to make another run at the 27-year-old this summer.
Robinson, in an exclusive interview with MOT Leeds News, stated: “He’s a player who did well at Liverpool initially.” While he has been gaining some Championship experience at Cardiff, the loan north of the border didn’t go as planned.
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From Leeds’ perspective, there’s a good player there, but he’s one of those individuals who, like Joe Rodon, may be loaned to several teams and wind up spending a few years without a permanent home.
“He plays center defense well. He fits the manager’s preferred style of play because he is a talented ball player. Although he doesn’t start ahead of Rodon or Ampadu, I could see him being a valuable addition to the team.
“With Liam Cooper’s future still up in the air, I don’t think the manager intends to play Ampadu at center-half permanently. Perhaps he’s seeking for a longer-term partner for Rodon.
“Nat Phillips is a talented athlete who has not reached his full potential. Not so good north of the border. As a player, he needs to locate a place to live, settle down, join a team, and restart his career.
Despite making just 29 appearances for Liverpool since making his debut in January 2020, Phillips has amassed a wealth of experience around Europe.
The 27-year-old defender, who has spent time on loan at VfB Stuttgart, Bournemouth, Celtic, and Cardiff right now, might be a much-needed addition to Daniel Farke’s team this summer.
One of the biggest problems at Elland Road is the lack of depth in the Leeds team. Pascal Struijk has been beset by injuries, and Farke has opted to transfer Ampadu into defense rather than use Liam Cooper.
The future is similarly unclear for Rodon. Tottenham is willing to let the Welshman go this summer, but no deal has materialized at Elland Road as of yet.
Leeds might decide to make the transfer this summer if the Reds are unlikely to demand a very high price for the outcast defender at Anfield.
Before Daniel Farke was appointed, 49ers Enterprises, the team’s owners, made a “big” recruiting decision for a former Premier League manager.