Simon Grayson rates Kalvin Phillips extremely highly, saying the midfielder would be capable of playing in the Premier League.
The former Leeds United manager knows a thing or two about losing key players to teams in the top flight, and fans fear the 23-year-old midfielder could be the latest to jump ship.
Academy product Jonny Howson, as well as Bradley Johnson and fan favourite Luciano Becchio all left Leeds for Norwich City, who are one of several clubs reportedly interested in Phillips.
Speaking with Jim White on TalkSport, Grayson reflected on some of the problems he faced with United, saying that letting players go isn’t something that’s changed in recent years.
"We lost the likes of Howson, Becchio, Snodgrass, and Ronaldo Vieira went to Sampdoria last summer,” said Grayson. “Chris Wood went for £15 million. It has been over the last few years a club that has had to sell players to regroup a new bunch of players to get them to the next level.”
Since taking Leeds up from League One, Grayson has gone on to manage Huddersfield, Preston, Sunderland and Bradford, although he’s focused more on his media duties this season and has been a regular commentating on Bielsa’s side in the season just gone.
"I think so,” he responded, when asked if Phillips is capable of playing in the Premier League. “He gets around the pitch. He can pass the ball with both feet. He's dropped in at centre-back at times. I think he certainly can play in the Premier League. It's not good for Leeds United fans."
Phillips, who has come up through the academy, has come of age this year, excelling in Bielsa’s system to become a real fan favourite at the base of midfield.
