Leeds United have made a solid start to the Premier League season, but Manchester City’s guilty verdict has opened up all kinds of possibilities.
The Whites cannot afford to think about what could happen if Manchester City are handed out severe sanctions, including relegation from the Premier League, but it is hard not to wonder what could happen at the end of the season.
Daniel Farke has regularly tried to temper expectations, insisting Leeds need one more solid Premier League season before thinking about loftier ambitions.
However, the prospect of European football next season is something Leeds fans are dreaming about, and the club are being tipped to qualify for Europe at the end of the ongoing campaign.
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BBC journalist adds fuel to the European fire for Leeds
European football is seen as a genuine possibility for Leeds, but Adam Pope has insisted the Whites have more than one route into Europe.
He stressed that Leeds can do well in the league and still qualify for Europe by winning a domestic cup at the end of the season.
The BBC journalist insisted that he genuinely thinks Leeds can win a domestic cup and qualify for European football.
Speaking on Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet, he said: “When people do qualify for Europe and look at your Palaces, look at your West Hams, [and] the Brightons in this year, they’re trying to do two things.
“They want to do well in the league, and they want to win in a cup.
“So why can’t Leeds do as well as they can in the Premier League, say, and do well in a domestic cup?
“And then you get to Europe.
“I think they’re building a squad to do that.
“I think the European thing is a lot more achievable than before three years, because I genuinely think they are in a position where they could go and win a domestic cup.”
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Man City’s guilty verdict also opens up an avenue
Manchester City will appeal their guilty verdict, and a new appeals commission will review the case. However, the process is expected to be sorted out before the end of the season.
As things stand, Manchester City are not expected to overturn the Independent Commission’s decision, and there is a real possibility of them getting relegated from the Premier League.
That opens up the possibility of Leeds moving up a position in the league and that could be the difference between a top-half finish and qualifying for Europe.
