Although Aston Villa signed Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer from Olympique Marseille, Steven Gerrard may still be keen to sign another defensive-midfielder this summer. Morgan Sanson is expected to leave after struggling for playing time, so Kamara would be his replacement. Gerrard might want to upgrade Marvelous Nakamba, however, so a bigger name could be brought in.
Kalvin Phillips was on Villa’s shortlist and is a player Gerrard would love to have, but Leeds United will fight to keep him at Elland Road. Pete O’Rourke believes Gerrard could be the key to bringing Phillips to Villa Park, however, as he’s a former midfielder who nearly won it all at club level. He believes the 26-year-old will want to learn from one of the best.
O’Rourke told Give Me Sport: “I think the chance to maybe work under a top midfielder, like Gerrard was, might appeal to Kalvin Phillips. He might think it would help improve his own game. There will be lots that Villa would be hoping might appeal to Phillips if it does come down to a race for his signature.”
The England international, who has represented his country on 19 occasions, has made 234 appearances in all competitions for Leeds, scoring 14 goals with 13 assists. This season, Phillips featured in 23 games across the board due to injury and narrowly avoided relegation with Leeds. Villa want to get into Europe next season, so Phillips might be seduced by their greater ambition.
In other news, Kevin Phillips says Steven Gerrard ‘relies’ on Philippe Coutinho for ‘crunch games’
