Leeds United can afford to think about the next season in the Premier League after scoring 43 points with three games left in the season.
The Whites are nine points clear of the relegation zone, and it would take a miracle and a fresh set of results for them to go down to the Championship at this stage.
Daniel Farke has guarded against celebrating before Leeds are mathematically safe, but no team have suffered relegation after netting 43 points in a 38-game Premier League season.
However, the work starts now for the Whites to think about next season and what they can do to ensure they are not fighting relegation at this stage next year.
Former Leeds United star urges the board to act soon
Aaron Lennon has conceded that next season will be harder for Leeds and they must prepare for the grind, as it is not going to get any easier.
He is confident the 49ers will invest to strengthen the squad, and it could be massive for them if they get their recruitment right again, like they did last year.
But he stressed the importance of Leeds getting those players in nice and early to ensure they are well-prepared for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Lennon said on talkSPORT: “It is going to be difficult [staying up again]. There is no doubt that the second season is always harder.
“But the owners are ambitious. Leeds will spend again, and they will spend big. It is just so important that they get the right player.
“Getting to nine points [clear of relegation], Leeds will go into the market early, and it is so important for the football club to get the right players and get them in early.
“It’s a massive, massive achievement for this football club.”
The Whites can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of the past
Leeds have been here before in the past. They finished ninth in their first season back in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa, and were 17th in the following campaign.
The wheels completely fell off in the 2022/23 campaign when they finally could not avoid relegation amid managerial upheaval.
Leeds’ recruitment was poor after their first season back in the Premier League, and it played a huge role in their eventual relegation from the top flight.
Stuart Dallas was quick to remind everyone and said, “We finished 9th and then 17th.
“The club stood still, and they didn’t build on what they had there.
“It’s important they don’t make the same mistake. I am sure the guys in charge won’t make the same mistakes.”
