TBR View: Leeds should enter reported hunt for Jack Cork to provide midfield cover

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Leeds United have so many talented individuals in their team that fit Marcelo Bielsa’s system effectively, but perhaps there is nobody more important than Kalvin Phillips.

The 24-year-old had to watch from the sidelines in the three games before the international break with a shoulder injury and his absence in the centre of the park was extremely noticeable.

Phillips, who has come through the Whites academy, sits at the base of the team’s midfield as a defensive midfielder and joins the dots together.

The England international helps set the tone with his range of passing and leadership, plus he’s the defensive screen that allows the full-backs to fly forward into the opposition’s half.

There are players within the squad such as Pascal Struijk, Robin Koch or Mateuez Klich that can slot into the deep-lying midfielder position, but ideally Leeds could do with a specialist in the squad to cover.

Bielsa should look at bringing in cover in the midfield area and one man that would be ideal is £10million star (BBC) Jack Cork from Premier League rivals Burnley.

According to the Mirror, there are a trio of Premier League clubs circling for the 31-year-old due to the fact his contract at Turf Moor expires at the end of the season.

The report claims that top-flight Brighton, Newcastle United and Sheffield United are all eyeing potential moves for him.

Leeds should look to join the race for the Englishman and jump the queue by pursuing him in January, as surely he would be available for a cut price.

Cork, 31, is a hard working midfielder that looks an ideal fit to cover Phillips at Elland Road and would be a shrewd transfer target for the Yorkshire giants.

The central midfielder has the brilliant experience of 264 Premier League games under his belt, as well as being someone that’s disciplined in front of a defence, extremely composed with the ball at his feet and coming towards the end of his contract.