DROP ’N GO
Beckford: Phillips will only stay if we don’t get relegated
KALVIN PHILLIPS will stay on at Leeds United next season – but only if the club wins its survival fight.
The future of Elland Road’s standout asset is a hot topic as Jesse Marsch’s side prepare for the latest round of their battle to avoid the drop, against Arsenal at the Emirates today.
And former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford (right) says Phillips will continue his love affair with the club if Premier League safety is secured – but that the prospect of a season in the Championship will be a deal-breaker.
Beckford said: “Kalvin’s future comes down to whether Leeds are in the Premier League next season.
“As long as they are, I can’t see a reason for him to leave just yet.
“He’s in the national team, he’s playing in the Premier League for a team he loves and for a team where he is loved.
“Let’s be fair, this is only his second season at this level and he has still not yet completed a full campaign because of injury.
“Financially, he’s on a decent deal and I understand there are discussions to extend that.
“Ultimately, there will come a point where he has a decision to make, particularly if he wants to play Champions League football.
“But if he is progressing and Leeds are, then I think he will stay for one more season at least.
“That will give the club time to grow and possibly make plans for him going – because how would they cope with Kalvin’s loss?
“He’s a natural-born leader. His communication levels are excellent but he also gives that experience of playing in those holding midfield positions. His levels of intelligence are so high. That allows the players alongside him – in those wide areas – to have creative freedom.”
Beckford, 38, remains a cult hero at Elland Road – he spent four years spearheading the Leeds attack, and scored a famous winner over old foes Manchester United at Old Trafford in the 2009-10 FA Cup.
He remains upbeat about the chances of his old club avoiding the drop, mainly because of improvements at the back which – last week’s drubbing by Manchester City apart – has been marked.
“Jesse has made defensive changes which have had an effect,” Beckford said. “He’s stopped the man-to-man marking for a start.
“When it worked, both from a fans’ perspective and the neutrals perspective, it was just brilliant.
“But when you are playing against people who are worth upwards of £50million, then the level changes, and they understand how to break teams down, relatively quickly and easily.
“Jesse has come in and got the defence in a solid bank of four. Kalvin is holding just in front which gives it more solidity and makes it difficult to break down.
“Aside from that, I don’t think he’s made too many changes since coming in. He’s not had to.
“One of the main things that coaches and managers want to affect when they arrive at a club is the players’ levels of fitness.
“With Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United, they were the fittest team in the Premier League, so that simply wasn’t on Jesse’s agenda.
“What will be interesting is when Leeds have a fully fit squad again.
“Obviously, Kalvin has been missing. As has Patrick Bamford – a vital cog in the machine.
“You only have to look at the goals Leeds have been missing from Bamford. It’s a huge loss. And Patrick offers so much more than goals. His movement creates space for others.
“But with both of them back to fitness, the whole picture suddenly changes. If they do survive, Jesse will have both back available next season.
“And in the Under-23s there are the likes of Sam Greenwood and Joe Gelhardt. They are real prospects.
“If the club can stay up, there could be some exciting times ahead.”