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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…
According to reputable journalist Alan Nixon, Leeds United are looking at signing Ryan Woods as a potential replacement for Kalvin Phillips.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Aston Villa, but if the Whites want to replace the Englishman, Woods isn’t the man to look towards.
Phillips’ role
Anyone who has watched Marcelo Bielsa’s side play in the last 12 months would be able to tell you that Phillips is one of the most important players in the Argentine’s system.
The Englishman plays as the holding midfielder in their 4-1-4-1 formation, and that position is absolutely vital for the way the Whites play.
Last season Phillips was fantastic – his role required him to run for a full 90 minutes and complete the destructive work in the midfield, helping the Whites win back possession by making tackles and interceptions.
He averaged 2.7 tackles per game last term as well as 1.3 interceptions, and if the Whites are to replace him they need to bring someone in who can replicate those sorts of numbers.
Woods not the man
The man who Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani are apparently looking towards is Stoke midfielder Woods.
The 25-year-old was brilliant during his time at Brentford as he won the Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2018. While he is a good player at this level, he isn’t the type of player who could replace Phillips.
Indeed, if they signed the Potters man for a different role there could be no qualms about it as he is a solid midfielder at this level, but he is of such a different ilk to the 23-year-old and playing him in that role wouldn’t be wise.
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Whoscored even lists Woods’ weaknesses as his tackling and defensive contribution. He makes just 1.2 tackles per game and 0.6 interceptions, so he falls well short of Phillips’ defensive output. If Leeds put Woods in Phillips’ position it could be a disaster waiting to happen.
