Premier League match ball. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Premier League match ball. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Premier League match ball. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Leeds United rumours: Whites willing to break transfer record for Bielsa target, Tottenham plot Elland Road raid

Much of the debate surrounding England’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Scotland on Friday evening has centred around Gareth Southgate’s decision to persist with Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips in centre of the park.

Some fans have accused him of being too negative for playing both him and Declan Rice, but pundit David Prutton has suggested that it’s not necessarily as simple as dropping the 25-year-old for a more attacking option.

Writing in a column for the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said: “There’s a perception that England have two defensive midfielders at the heart of their team in Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice.

“Fans are seeing England line up in such a way against teams – like Scotland – that they should be beating quite routinely.

“Phillips and Rice played the full match together in England’s opening game of the Euros against Croatia who are probably in a little bit of a transition period.

“But Friday night’s clash against Scotland was always going to be full of blood and thunder and a game in which Scotland found a way to play to ensure they stayed in the contest for as long as possible.

“They did exactly that and came away from Wembley with a very-hard earned point.

“From Kalvin and Declan’s point of view, you have got two very good footballers there but do we need two defensive midfielders or holding midfielders shall we say?

“But that’s not to say that it’s as simple as just playing one of them and chucking Jack Grealish in as you can’t completely throw caution to the wind.”

We’ve gathered the best of today’s Premier League transfer speculation below...

“Fans are seeing England line up in such a way against teams – like Scotland – that they should be beating quite routinely.