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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Rather bizarrely, Leeds will go into the new campaign without a replacement for Pontus Jansson.
The Swede left for a measly £5.5m earlier in the transfer window, joining Brentford after it was claimed he had problems with his attitude.
Ben White has arrived on loan from Brighton but despite Marcelo Bielsa being described as a big fan, it would be foolish to place faith in someone so young who has minimal experience at this level.
As a result, the Argentine must place more faith in one of his best performers from the previous season.
On the chalkboard
Leeds fans haven’t been shy in making their feelings felt on their defensive frailties in pre-season.
It seems to have been a huge issue for the Whites after they lost 4-0 to Manchester United with Gaetano Berardi next to Liam Cooper.
White, himself, made an error against Cagliari which makes things increasingly uncertain going into their opening match of the season.
Cooper, of course, was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year but who he lines up alongside on the opening weekend remains to be seen.
After Berardi was sent off in the playoffs he won’t feature on Sunday, but one man who needs to be given more responsibility in that area of the pitch is Kalvin Phillips.
The defensive midfielder was the subject of a £15m bid from Aston Villa towards the back end of last week and played 13 times at centre back last term.
Defensively he was exceptional throughout 2018/19, making 2.6 tackles per game whilst also winning 2.6 aerial duels on average each match.
When playing at the heart of defence, he lost just twice which proves Leeds can still perform when he’s trusted in that position.
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With options limited in that part of the pitch, there are far worse ideas than giving Phillips a consistent run at centre-back.
In July 2018, the 23-year-old told Leeds Live: “As long as I’m playing games I’m not really fussed where I play. Like I said, I can play anywhere in midfield, I can play centre-half so obviously it’s a good thing to have when you can be a utility player as well.”
And that can play into his hands providing he does stay at the club next season.
Phillips has proven himself to be an excellent utility player but it could be in defence where he shines in 2019/20.
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