Nick Hammond is getting his eye in at Leeds United. Almost two weeks on from his appointment, the interim football advisor has his feet under the table and plates aplenty spinning ahead of the big push.
Everything at Elland Road feels as though it’s in a holding pattern right now. While news of the agreement between 49ers Enterprises and Aser Ventures dropped on June 9, 19 days have passed without confirmation of the takeover.
While EFL reviews the paperwork, ducks are being lined up for the new era to move quickly under the stewardship of chairman-elect Paraag Marathe. Interviews with head coach candidates concluded last week, but LeedsLive understands that announcement is unlikely to come until Andrea Radrizzani’s tenure has officially ended.
Marathe and the new board want, and need, to push forwards with vigour once they officially have control of the club. All they, and Hammond, can do is ensure as much preparation as possible is done ahead of time.
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The Athletic reported on United’s interest in Liverpool defender Nat Phillips yesterday. The Whites are understood to consider the 26-year-old one of several options Hammond has made enquiries about in that position.
With right-footed centre-backs Diego Llorente and Robin Koch expected to depart this summer, and makeshift reserve Rasmus Kristensen also now emerging as a possible departee, you can see why a reinforcement may be needed. Enquiries are how Hammond sees it up to this point, though.
Marathe and chief executive Angus Kinnear are not expected to push through new signings imminently while the takeover processes, a head coach waits in the wings and wantaway names need showing out as early in pre-season as possible. Leeds won’t be the only interested party in Phillips either.
The towering centre-back has started one league game for Liverpool since May 2021, so he comes with availability and Anfield pedigree, of a sort. Phillips would start all but one of the 19 games promotion-winning Bournemouth played after his January loan was completed in 2022.
Seventy senior appearances at 26-years-old does show he has been underplayed up to now, but if he can combine a modicum of that Jurgen Klopp DNA with Championship credentials, strength and height, Hammond’s interest would be justified. It tallies with the profile of player he moved for in a tight window at Newcastle United too.
Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Chris Wood, all seasoned top-flight professionals, were added to that relegation-bound Magpies squad in January 2022. Trippier may have had top-level star appeal, but all of them were sensible, dependable additions for a dogfight.
Phillips looks every inch the Championship-ready performer without the need for a Wyscout account to dig into Portugal or Austria’s second-tier defensive stats. Calls made, but takeover first.
