Before this season began, not many pundits and experts tipped Leeds United to be in the Premier League promotion race.
After losing the Championship playoff final to Southampton in May, the result set a lot of things in motion. Leeds lost key players as Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter were all snapped up by Premier League clubs. The Whites made over €100million from these deals. Last season also had a detrimental effect on some of the players; Glen Kamara admitted the only reason he left in the summer was because of the loss in May.
Failing to secure Premier League football also cost the club in the transfer window; Kalvin Phillips recently admitted that he would have returned to Elland Road if the club had secured promotion.
QUIZ: Can you name these past and present Leeds United players?
Alan Pardew has his say on Leeds United this season
Credit: Imago Images
Despite losing key players, and the noise around Elland Road in the summer, Daniel Farke has began the campaign on a good note. Leeds went top of the table this weekend after an away win at Swansea City. The club bounced back from the international break and took advantage of Sheffield United and Sunderland dropping points. Leeds fans will be relieved, as they were frustrated that there would be a repeat of what happened just before the international break. Daniel Farke’s men lost a crucial game to Millwall, which could have seen them top of the table before the break.
Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew has now had his say on Leeds United and promotion this season:
“What a result for Leeds because they’ve always been in and around it, but now they’re top.
“With their fanbase and the size that they’ve got, you’d like to think that this could be the year. I certainly hope so because the Premier League needs Leeds United. I’ve always thought that.”
The club now sit top of the table, and will hope to navigate the upcoming fixtures from now till January.
Can Leeds win promotion?
There is no reason why the club cannot win promotion. Daniel Farke has silenced a lot of doubters with how the club has done so far. Playing this well after losing key players in the summer was not on the cards, but the German coach has proved exactly why he was the perfect man for the Leeds United job since he was hired last year.
