Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham has suggested that keeping Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips was the best bit of business they did over the summer.

The Whites made seven signings in the transfer window, including a loan-to-buy move for Wolves winger Helder Costa and loan deals for Brighton’s Ben White and Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah.

They also saw a number of first-team players leave the club, including Pontus Jansson and Kemar Roofe, and offloaded some young talent.

Is this the WORST Leeds United XI from the last 15 years? We'll let YOU decide....

According to the Athletic, there was significant interest in Phillips over the summer and Leeds turned down multiple bids of more than £20 million.

The 23-year-old signed a new five-year deal at Elland Road earlier this month and, speaking on Sky Sports News (quotes via Teamtalk), Higginbotham suggested retaining his services was a massive move.

He said: “Nobody knew what to expect with the first game of the season. They went to Bristol City, who are one of the better teams in the Championship and you thought ‘This is going to be such an early test for Leeds’.

“They just took it in their stride. You look at Kalvin Phillips, I think that’s the best bit of business that they did in the summer. He’s an incredible player, he can play in the Premier League now and Leeds United have managed to keep hold of him in such a key position within the team.”

The Whites have made a strong start to the 2019/20 season and are currently top of the Championship.

The Verdict

Ben White may have something to say about it, but I think Higginbotham is right here.

Phillips is an integral part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side and losing him in the summer would’ve been a massive blow.

No-one else in the squad, or arguably the league, can play the defensive midfield role as well as him and he has been ever-present in front of that backline this season – featuring in every single game for the Whites and leading the Championship in average tackles per game, according to WhoScored.

Having him tied down to a long-term deal is a boost but you have to think that Leeds will struggle to keep him if they don’t get promoted this season.