Phillips suggests Bielsa blunder as Drameh and Greenwood close to Leeds exits after source’s update
The “stubborn” Marcelo Bielsa could be about to make a big mistake by letting Cody Drameh and Sam Greenwood leave Leeds United on loan.
So say ex-Premier League goalscorer Kevin Phillips, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Nottingham Forest’s interest in the pair.
Football Insider revealed on 1 January that right-back Drameh, 20, is in advanced talks to join Forest on loan.
Leeds Live also reported on the same day that Greenwood, also 20, is on Forest’s radar as they look for a young centre-forward.
Drameh has featured four times for Leeds this term, while Greenwood has two appearances to his name.
Both have been regulars on the bench during a period when Covid-19 cases and an injury pile-up have left Bielsa with a ragtag squad.
Phillips insists that while he thinks it would be a mistake to let them go, it would be no surprise to see both players at the City Ground.
“There are two ways of looking at this,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“We know how stubborn Bielsa can be. He thinks he can get through a whole season with the squad he’s got, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they did go.
“From the players’ point of view, yeah they’ve been on the bench but if you get to go and play in the Championship at a club like Forest, you’d jump at it.
“That experience will only benefit them. They could come back not just as squad players but challenging for a first-team place.
“But at the moment, I would rather have them sat on my bench knowing that you’ve got cover because the squad is very light.”
Leeds currently have seven first-team stars out injured.
The East Yorkshire side’s 3-1 win over Burnley yesterday (2 January) lifted them to 16th in the table.
In other news, Kieran Maguire issues “£240million” reveal after Leeds United chief Radrizzani’s claim.