Kalvin has been in first team for nearly 10 years, its not just the last 5 or 6.
He came in for loads of stick, not good enough, useless, will never make it, get rid etc etc
Redfearn, Rosler, Evans, Monk, Christiansen, Heck and then Bielsa.
They all saw something in him, but it took Bielsa to really bring it out.
There was something there already in that partnership with O'Kane, but had Bielsa not come in, I'm sure Philips would have left by now already for 2m or something to Boro or Stoke etc.
Bielsa saw what was needed, fitness and positional change and enabled the best to come out.
The reality is since return from injury, not looked so effective, be that fitness or Marsch system, he is to the players of last few seasons (at present).
I said earlier in season that proves fans expected us to get for sales of players were wildly optimistic and we';re seeing that in the fee here and the fact Raphinha hasn't been snapped up...but with Philips going, its one less reason for Raphinha to want to stay.
Its going to be hard watching England this World Cup now with Calvin in it representing another club (assuming this deal does go through), but things change, time moves on and I really wish him well on his next steps.
But back to where we are. We need 4/5 players before our best one left, now we need a replacement for him as well as the back up for him, unless Marsch feels that sort of player is not his way forward.
I have concerns that our recruitment is based firmly on whether player has played for Marsch or Marsch encountered them as an opponent in a match.
It's feeling as if it's going to be a radically changed side next season, but these players are coming at a cost, so another reason I see for Raphinha to leave, it needs to be funded somehow.
We escaped last season by the skin of our teeth, I don't feel we have a better squad at present after this sale and the aim this season coming surely has to be survival again as a first priority.
Some thoughts on Phillips
posted on 27/6/22
I was one that rubbished Phillips on a weekly basis pre-Bielsa. That's because he was rubbish 99% of the time during that phase of his career.
One game into MB's reign and I was a Phillips convert.
With his injuries last season, the few cameos he had at the end of the season and in the England games it appears that he is still way off his best form. Frankly, I doubt that Marsch would have pushed him hard enough to get him fit and flying again and wouldn't have used him in his best position due to formation differences.
Under Pep, Kalvin can reach his top form again. He will be pushed to be the fittest he can be and will be under the wing of a manager who is perhaps the next best thing to MB.
I can't help feeling that without the move to City, he would have lost all that he gained under Bielsa with Marsch in charge.
I wish Kalvin all the best for his future.
posted on 27/6/22
Agree with that 47, I think many players reached heights under Bielsa that they won’t reach again here.
posted on 27/6/22
I rated KP pre-Bielsa Jonty, though didn't think he'd raise his game quite as much as he subsequently has. Always thought there was a player, just needed better coaching and players around him to flourish.
No love in (as mentioned on the other thread) from me. I just think he's taking an opportunity at a top club, so don't begrudge him, at all, the chance. I've no doubt there's been dialogue an discussions behind the scenes. Maybe the club realise he's not the player he was without the Bielsa influence, so cashing in now rather than hang on to him and he doesn't perform anywhere near previous. Does seem odd we've seemingly taken less than others have previously offered mind.
I don't think personally the money we get for him is the issue, I know it concerns others - it's how it's invested and who replaces him (and Raph when he goes).
Leicester sold on key players, but invested wisely in replacements and have sustained prem. I see us having to do that for a few seasons to build as a club again. Tricky and risky strategy, but possibly where we are right now.
Not saying, for a second, i'm right. just my take on it all.
posted on 27/6/22
VOF, I wasn't sure about him but did rate his partnership with O'Kane and said that multiple managers must be seeing something in him.
I don't begrudge him going at all, but haven't our board always said will only bring in players if they improve on what we have, so what is the improvement on Philips that we're going to see?
I struggle to think of any foreign player bar Raphinha who has come in and made a positive impact in first season and now we seem to be aiming to replace half the first team with such players.
I'm genuinely concerned with our recruitment policy and hope I'm proven wrong.
posted on 27/6/22
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 4 minutes ago
VOF, I wasn't sure about him but did rate his partnership with O'Kane and said that multiple managers must be seeing something in him.
I don't begrudge him going at all, but haven't our board always said will only bring in players if they improve on what we have, so what is the improvement on Philips that we're going to see?
I struggle to think of any foreign player bar Raphinha who has come in and made a positive impact in first season and now we seem to be aiming to replace half the first team with such players.
I'm genuinely concerned with our recruitment policy and hope I'm proven wrong.
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As usual, we wait, we see.
My concern with all these signings from far and wide, isn't the basic ability of them - i assume they're good players, it's the acclimitising to the prem. That can take weeks/months/a season.
Others have said we need proven prem - well they come at a cost and might not view us as an attractive option given league finish and departure of key players.
We'll see..... !
posted on 27/6/22
Regarding players hitting the ground running, Firpo is a case in point. Presumably he's been good at some point in his career, but he's now put in as many games for us as he did for Barca (24) and I've yet to see a player there. Despite that, I've heard no chatter about getting another LB.
Let's hope that Marsch sees a player in Firpo and his system is a better fit for him than Bielsa's was.
The only positive with the signings so far is that Marsch has first-hand knowledge of those players.
posted on 27/6/22
The other thing about Firpo is that he either gets injured or booked too often, resulting in someone having to fill in at LB. Who have we got to play LB?
Leedsfan has nailed it - Guardiola is the man, if anyone, to take Phillips further although I'm sure Klopp or Pochettino or even Brendan Rodgers or Graham Potts could also work well for him.
Neither Phillips nor Raphinha seemed particularly inspired this season, either before or after the arrival of Marsch. As I've said before, 45 for Phillips and 65 for Raphinha seems like good business to me.
"Two best players leaving, therefore we will get relegated." I have no time at all for that sort of talk pre-season but we should know for sure by Xmas. The three new signings give me reasons to be cheerful.
I am certainly worried that Orta is involved in rebuilding, and that we're going to waste the KP/Raph money by signing more duds on five-year deals. I am therefore hoping that Marsch's influence will improve Orta's focus.
Blind faith. That's all you need if you're a Leeds fan. Am I wrong?
posted on 28/6/22
Blind faith and good blood pressure meds works for me!
posted on 28/6/22
Jaz, Raphinha kept us up, not bad for an uninspired player.
65m is good business for Raphinha but I doubt very much that we're going to get it.
We needed 4/5 players before selling, now we're going to need to replace those leaving as well.
But what are these players coming in, are they replacements or additions?
Orta says we're sticking with small squad so it feels like replacements and they are really unproven at Prem level. A lot of changes all at once won't be easy, maybe blind faith is the key
posted on 28/6/22
I don't begrudge him going at all, but haven't our board always said will only bring in players if they improve on what we have, so what is the improvement on Philips that we're going to see?
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Jonty that's why they got rid of Phillips first.
now its easier to bring in better than we have.