Spurs have signed plenty of players from Leeds United this century – Danny Rose, Paul Robinson, Robbie Keane and Jack Clarke spring quickly to mind – and there is now another star at Elland Road who would fit the bill.
That is the opinion of former Spurs and Leeds midfielder Michael Brown, who had told Football Insider that 24-year-old Kalvin Phillips would be a “classic Spurs type signing”.
Brown has been well impressed by Phillips this season, which has seen him dominate the centre of the park for the side who are currently odds-on to win promotion to the Premier League.
But could Phillips be a Premier League star next season even if Leeds fail to go up? Brown thinks so, although he fears a chairman like Daniel Levy might be put off by his price tag (FI claim Leeds rejected offers of £27m last summer).
Brown explained: “The key is Phillips will not be with Leeds United next season if they don’t get promoted.
“You look at some clubs, they’re paying £20m at the top of the pitch for players coming out of the Championship but for a midfield player, it’s a really big call to go over that figure.
“It’s a classic Spurs type signing, young player who they can develop but the fee might be a little bit rich for Spurs and Daniel (Levy).”
In a rave review of Phillips, Brown also said: “I personally think he’s a wonderful player because of his ability.
“He can play up as a 10, he can play wide in a midfield three, he can play a holding, screening in front of the two or the one, he’s got a range of passing, he can also step in at central defence and he’s comfy in a back three. Tell me who’s a young kid who’s played 100 games who can do that…”
If we didn’t go in for Ziyech what hope is there he would sign Phillips?