Former England striker Kevin Phillips has torn into Leeds United’s recruitment policy after the team has limped through much of the season so far.
Leeds United currently sit in 16th place in the table, five points above the relegation zone, having lost their last three games, including a 7-0 thumping against Manchester City.
On Sunday they welcome Burnley, but the squad is still decimated with the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford and Daniel James all struggling for fitness.
Kevin Phillips says the blame lies with Leeds’ belief that they would not have to invest as much this season, which has left them with no Premier League-ready players to step in when the likes of Bamford are out.
Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips said: “When you look at Leeds, I think there is a lot of naivety.
“The squad is simply not big enough. They have not got back-up in pivotal areas and everyone can see it and everyone has been saying it.
“They don’t have any back-up for [Patrick] Bamford or [Kalvin] Phillips really.
“To invest heavily in year one and not in year two is a strange plan. You have to keep investing to survive in the Premier League. Everyone else is getting better and strong.
“I hope it doesn’t come back to bite them in the backside come the end of the season. I don’t think it will. They have enough I think.
“Is their model going to bring success? I don’t think it will. Recruitment is huge. You need to have quality players in the starting eleven and in the background.”
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa will update the press on injuries later this week.
