Kevin Phillips has offered his thoughts on Leeds' interest in Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O'Brien.
What's the talk?
Former England international Kevin Phillips has urged Leeds to push the boat out to sign Lewis O'Brien from Huddersfield this month. Leeds have had an offer rejected for the Championship battler, with Phillips now expecting them to go in with another bid.
“Huddersfield’s season has already started so Leeds will have to push the boat out a little bit more and I’m sure they will because he is a very good player.
“If we are talking about a few more million then just go and get the player because the last thing they want is the second season syndrome. They do not want to be caught short. A player like O’Brien would definitely strengthen their squad.
“It is critical that Leeds get off to a good start in what is a huge game against United. If O’Brien came in, I think he would be a real good addition.”
Imagine him and Dallas
As per Phillips' suggestion, Leeds must splash the cash by pushing the boat out to bring O'Brien to the club this summer. He could be a shrewd addition to the squad as he provides what the club want from a central midfield player and he could be the replacement needed for Mateusz Klich, who struggled for consistency last season.
The Polish international averaged a poor WhoScored rating of 6.51 in the top-flight for Leeds, which suggests that he was not cut out for Premier League football week-in-week-out. Stuart Dallas, meanwhile, averaged an impressive score of 6.87 in midfield next to him.
Therefore, O'Brien could come into the midfield alongside Dallas for Marcelo Bielsa's team. It remains to be seen whether or not the 22-year-old would be an immediate upgrade on Klich, but at the age of 22, he has room to develop further and he has the physical qualities needed to impress at Leeds.
Anyone who has watched Bielsa's team play will know how much hard work is required from the two central midfielders ahead of Kalvin Phillips, with pressing constantly a key component of their role. To that point, Huddersfield writer Steven Chicken claimed that O'Brien is the type of player managers love due to his work rate on the pitch.
He said: "He certainly has the potential to be (a Premier League player), if he's not already. His fitness is incredible and he just never seems to get tired, which is one of the biggest difficulties Championship players have when stepping up to the Premier League.
"He's never going to be a big glamorous name in the Premier League, but he is the kind of wholehearted, committed player that managers love because they do so much of the hard work that helps other players to shine."
This suggests that he has the attributes required, physically and mentally, to succeed in a Bielsa team. Imagine Dallas and O'Brien bursting their lungs to get up and down the pitch throughout the 90 minutes battling it out for Leeds, it could be great to watch!
This is why Victor Orta must get on the phone to Huddersfield with an improved offer.
AND in other news, Orta must sanction Leeds swoop for "god-given" talent, Bielsa would love him...