Aston Villa are one of the teams who are looking at Kalvin Phillips this season, as per The Telegraph.
The England international will not come cheap, and Villa are likely to face competition from some of the big boys. Pep Guardiola is supposedly a big fan of the England international and is looking to bring him to the Etihad. Manchester United and Liverpool remain interested too.
Indeed, it would be a massive heist if manager Steven Gerrard can win the battle against the three big boys of English football.
What Does Phillips Offer?
Phillips is one of the best players outside the Big 6 of the Premier League.
A deep-lying midfielder, Phillips is a dynamic midfielder who can run for days. Marcelo Bielsa’s training methods have resulted in his stamina levels running through the roof. But not just physicality, Phillips excels technically as well.
He is extremely press resistant and loves to ping diagonal balls to runners. Villa already have dynamic fullbacks in Lucas Digne and Matty Cash. Phillips can unlock their true potential and make Villa threatening in attack. Moreover, his tactical awareness makes him a good option to shore up the backline as well.
With the signing of Boubacar Kamara wrapped up already, the addition of Phillips can be an immense statement as well. With a duo of this quality, it won’t be far-fetched to assume that the Birmingham outfit can compete for Europe next season.
However, it must also be noted that Phillips has had his injury history off late. He was out for 16 games in 2021/22, and recently faced another setback against Germany.
In conclusion, Phillips seems like an ambitious signing. With the possible departure of John McGinn on the cards, Kalvin Phillips can be a fabulous upgrade. However, Villa must account for other factors too, and carefully evaluate if the huge investment it demands is worth it.
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