SEIZING OPPORTUNITY AT LEEDS
Leeds United, freshly relegated from the Premier League, have already started their journey to bounce back. Reportedly,
Liverpool’s defender, Nat Phillips, is set to add his name to the list of Whites’ new signings. At 26, Phillips is eager to put his
Liverpool days behind him and play regularly for the Championship side, ultimately cementing his place as a key figure in
the Leeds backline.
As reported by Last Word on Sport, Leeds United have agreed on personal terms with Phillips, but are yet to table an official
bid. They’ve allegedly decided on a figure they’re willing to pay, which is speculated to be around the £10 million mark.
THE PHILLIPS FACTOR: A BOOST FOR LEEDS
Phillips’ move to Leeds would signify the club’s strategy of strengthening their defence, which suffered significantly during
their Premier League campaign. As it stands, Phillips’ Liverpool stint has been more of promise than of performance, with
the player never quite securing a consistent spot in the first team.
This shift could be a turning point for Phillips, offering him the much-needed opportunity to demonstrate his potential. His
eagerness to impress in his first season with a new club is palpable, adding another layer of anticipation to the forthcoming
season.
Leeds United are not just banking on Phillips for their defensive fortification. Reports are in that Chelsea’s defender, Ethan
Ampadu, is also on the Whites’ radar. It appears that Leeds have agreed personal terms with Ampadu too, showing a clear
intent to rebuild and make a swift return to the Premier League.
These signings, though yet to be formally confirmed, represent a proactive approach from Leeds. Their choice of seasoned
players like Nat Phillips and Ethan Ampadu signals a determination to confront the Championship challenge head-on,
bringing some exciting prospects for the upcoming season.
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The Evening Standard’s Nizaar Kinsella tweeted on 18 July that the Wales international is en route to Leeds to complete his
medical and sign the contract after a £7million fee plus £3million in add-ons was agreed on 17 July.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds about the potential signing of Ampadu, the BBC Wales football correspondent made the
prediction that the 22-year-old will be a “future Wales captain”.
“That is how highly he’s rated and he’s sort of matured in the Wales squad,” added Phillips. “I don’t think many Wales fans
would quibble with this, I’d say he’s been Wales’ best player, certainly during the World Cup, which was so disappointing in
Qatar, but since then as well.
“He rarely puts a foot wrong for Wales – a real player of quality. His versatility will be very handy and, frankly, if you’re
getting him for £7million plus add-ons, I think there are many Wales who will think that he should be playing Premier
League.
“It hasn’t worked out for him at Chelsea, even though it turns out he’s their longest-serving player at the moment, even
though I think he’s only played 12 times. That’s always befuddled us a little bit, but for the Championship, I’m sure Sheffield
United fans would probably say the same, he was really good for them as well.
It’s quite clear that Phillips is a huge fan of Ampadu following the high praise he dished out for the versatile defender and it’s
no surprise given how highly he’s thought of within the Wales national team setup.
He has played 43 times for his country since making his debut six years ago and there’s no doubt he will be in the mix to be
the next captain once Aaron Ramsey steps aside in a few years.
Although he’s never played a game at Championship level, he’s earned some great experience playing abroad over the past
couple of seasons – racking up 60 Serie A appearances on loan at Venezia and Spezia.
Ampadu has shown he’s got great versatility to play in midfield, but also just about anywhere along the backline – something
that could be invaluable for a long season in the second tier.
He’s known for his leadership skills and tough-tackling, battling displays, so he could quickly become a fans’ favourite at
Elland Road if the Whites manage to get a deal over the line.
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