Marcelo Bielsa’s £6.2m summer gamble paying off in Kalvin Phillips

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This summer, Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa sanctioned the sale of England under-21 international Ronaldo Vieira. The midfielder joined Sampdoria in a deal worth a reported £6.2 million in a deal that caught man Leeds fans off guard.

Vieira was considered a top talent by many, but it seemed Bielsa decided he was the best candidate to fund transfer exploits elsewhere.

In the end, it appeared to boil down to a choice between two of Leed top young midfielders. Vieira or Kalvin Phillips?

Bielsa went with the latter and, so far, it looks to have been a well thought out and executed gamble.

Phillips has been in great form this season and has changed the opinion of many a doubtful Leeds fan.

Such form has even seen him linked with Premier League moves. TEAMtalk reported yesterday that the versatile star is wanted by Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal – along with nine other Premier League sides.

Leeds will, of course, now be fighting hard to keep hold of the 22-year-old. But with Vieira only playing 26 minutes of football for his new team so far this season, Leeds appear to have made a wise choice.