Swansea City captain Matt Grimes has claimed that team-mate Flynn Downes can go right to the very 'top' amid reported transfer interest from Leeds United. According to the Times, the Whites are interested in signing the 23-year-old, who has impressed in the Championship this season.
Downes made the £1.5million switch to The Swans from Ipswich Town last summer and been one of their standout players this term. He has made 32 appearances in a Swansea shirt, scoring once and grabbing one assist and he has showed signs of developing into a top-flight player.
With the ability to play in a number of positions, Downes could fit right into Leeds' system. Meanwhile, his on the ball ability makes him a very attractive prospect for Premier League clubs, able to switch play with ease, work his way out of tight spaces and build attacks from central midfield areas.
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A whole host of other top-flight sides have also supposedly expressed an interest in the talented midfielder. And Grimes was full of praise for Downes when he spoke to Swansea's media team.
"Flynn’s been absolutely unbelievable since he signed," he said. "I think he’s been first class. His attitude he brings to training everyday, he’s a top, top player.
"If his dedication and work ethic is anything to go by I think he can go right to the top." But why would Leeds want to sign him?
A tough-tackling midfielder, Downes has been likened to Kalvin Phillips' style of play. He can operate as a deep-lying playmaker or in a box-to-box role, which gives him the license to get forward and create chances, while providing protection in front of the back-four.
Arguably Downes' biggest strength is his passing ability. The youngster averages a 92% pass success rate - completing 66 passes per-match. He is exceptionally comfortably on the ball and has the quality to dictate matches and control the tempo, similarly to Phillips.
Out of possession, Downes is also very effective. He has averaged 1.2 tackles, 1.1 clearances and 0.9 interceptions per game this season. However, one weakness to the 23-year-old is his physical strength, which would surely improve if he moved to a Premier League club in Leeds this summer.
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