---
title: "Leeds: Journalist backs Whites to sign Kalvin Phillips support"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-journalist-backs-whites-to-sign-kalvin-phillips-support/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-12-06T11:15:17Z"
modified: "2021-12-06T11:15:17Z"
---

# Leeds: Journalist backs Whites to sign Kalvin Phillips support

**Leeds United are likely to sign a backup midfielder for Kalvin Phillips in the January transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.**

### The Lowdown: Lack of midfield depth

The Whites have suffered a number of key injury problems so far this season, with the likes of Luke Ayling and Patrick Bamford missing for long periods.

Even Phillips hasn’t quite been an ever-present in the middle of the park, [starting 12](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/270446/Show/Kalvin-Phillips) of his side’s 15 Premier League matches.

There have been a lack of options in that area, especially with Robin Koch a [long-term absentee](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/robin-koch/verletzungen/spieler/328784), and the need for reinforcements there is clear.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″\]

### The Latest: Journalist makes transfer claim

Speaking to [*Give Me Sport*](https://www.givemesport.com/1797419-leeds-united-transfer-news-bielsa-tipped-to-make-january-signing-in-key-position), O’Rourke claimed it appears likely that a new No.6 will come into Leeds’ squad next month, in order to provide more depth:

> “From what I’m hearing, they might bring in a No.6 midfield cover in January, somebody to provide some backup to Kalvin Phillips with Adam Forshaw just returning from injury. So probably a more defensive midfielder or central midfielder rather than an attacking one.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-27/)

### The Verdict: Makes perfect sense

Leeds don’t need to make wholesale signings in January, especially now Ayling and Bamford are fit again, but midfield is certainly a position that needs to be strengthened.

Phillips went off with a knock in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at home to Brentford, while Adam Forshaw has only recently returned from a [two-year injury absence](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/adam-forshaw/verletzungen/spieler/121257).

Someone like Cagliari and Uruguay enforcer Nahitan Nandez would be perfect, with the [Leeds-linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/nahitan-nandez-transfer-boost-cagliari/) man averaging [two tackles](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/280928/Show/Nahitan-N%C3%A1ndez) and 2.6 aerial wins per game in Serie A this season, compared to Phillips’ [2.3 and 0.8](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/270446/Show/Kalvin-Phillips) in the Premier League, respectively.

***In other news, Leeds are reportedly eyeing up a loan move for one player. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-united-ross-barkley-chelsea-premier-league-transfer-gossip-rumours-news/).***