Signed for £0, now worth £36m: Leeds United struck gold with “perfect” £38k-p/w star - opinion

After securing a top-half finish in the Premier League last season in their first campaign back in the top division after a lengthy 16-year absence, Leeds United have struggled to reach the same heights they were at previously this time around.

With 23 games played, Leeds have only managed to win five games, draw eight and lose ten, leaving them in 15th place with 23 points on the board.

One potential factor that should be taken into account regarding the Whites’ poor season is the absence of midfield Kalvin Phillips, who has been out of action since December with a hamstring injury.

As a product of Leeds’ youth academy, the 26-year-old has racked up a total of 227 appearances for the Yorkshire club’s U23 and senior sides across all competitions, chipping in with 14 goals and 14 assists in the process.

Back in September 2016, Transfermarkt had the England international’s market value listed as £225k, whereas it now stands at £36m, which is a massive increase based on what he’s delivered on the pitch for Leeds over the years.

Labelled as a “perfect” player for Leeds by former manager Neil Redfearn, Phillips is certainly an example for any young player working their way through the youth ranks at a club that they can have a chance of becoming an important figure for their side.

With Marcelo Bielsa’s side having conceded 24 goals in the league since the midfield maestro picked up his injury, this shows just how important he is to the team in a defensive capacity.

Moving forward, if the Englishman, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £38k-per-week according to Salary Sport, can make a full recovery before the end of the season and keep his fitness up, he will provide a massive boost for Leeds’ chances of avoiding