By Paddy Kenny

5th May, 2021 | 4:00pm

Kenny backs Leeds to sign midfielder 'better than Phillips' amid 'unbelievable' claim

The statistics prove Leeds United are too reliant on Kalvin Phillips – they must sign an alternative who is “as good if not better.”

That is according to ex-Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about his former teammate after Leeds’ 2-0 loss to Brighton on Saturday.

Phillips was absent for the defeat at the Amex after sustaining a knee injury in training.

It was the ninth game the 25-year-old has missed this season and, worryingly, Leeds have lost on seven of those occasions.

This site understands that Leeds have made signing a new defensive midfielder top of their agenda ahead of the summer window.

This is music to Kenny’s ears as he insists the Whites have become too dependent on the seven-time England man.

“It’s something they’ve got to look to fix because that’s not a good stat,” he told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams.

“He’s now in the England squad and proving what an unbelievable talent he is, and he’s still young. He’s a very important player for Leeds.

“He came through at Leeds when I was there. You could see he had something about him.

“Maybe they need to get someone in who is as good if not better than Phillips to fill in if they do need to cover for him.”

Phillips graduated from Leeds’ academy in 2014 and has made 208 appearances for the West Yorkshire club.

He will be hoping to return to full fitness well in time for this summer’s Euros.

In other news, pundit calls for Patrick Bamford to be axed by Leeds United amid worrying development.