Leeds United sit at the summit of the Championship table on 72 points from 33 games and are seemingly on their way back to the Premier League. There is real anticipation amongst the Elland Road faithful about being in the top flight again after last season’s playoff final heartbreak. Daniel Farke has been trying to keep everyone grounded but even he has admitted that 20 more points from their last 13 league games should ensure their return to the top flight of English football. Leeds and their supporters believe that they are meant to be playing Premier League football every season and many feel the club will add to the game’s iconography in the top flight. Simon Jordan has gone ahead and ruffled a few feathers by insisting Leeds are a bigger club than some others who feel they are huge as well.
The Whites look certain to get promoted to the Premier League this season and their form suggests that they will likely go up as Championship winners.
Leeds felt that they should have gone up last season but only a freak campaign meant that even 90 points were not enough to earn automatic promotion.
Many believe that a club of Leeds’ size should be a regular fixture in the Premier League where several teams share rivalry with the Yorkshire giants.
Simon Jordan wants Leeds in the Premier League and has backed them to buck the trend of promoted teams struggling in their first season back in the top flight.
However, the former Crystal Palace chairman has further gone ahead and insisted that some of the clubs in the Premier League pale in front of Leeds in terms of size and stature.
‘Leeds United are bigger than Newcastle United’ – Simon Jordan
Newcastle have been on an upward trajectory since being taken over by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and their fans believe that they are a legitimately big club.
The Magpies are trying to break into the elite group of teams in the Premier League who regularly play in the Champions League and they have the finances to do so.
However, Jordan stated that Leeds are a bigger club than Newcastle and anyone who goes to Elland Road realises that they are in the presence of something great compared to other Premier League sides.
He stressed that it is not just him who thinks Leeds are a big club as it is a known fact acknowledged by anyone who understands English football.
“There are clubs that have a certain feel and sustain about them. I think Newcastle to some degree. I have often said Newcastle is a big club in Newcastle, but I think Leeds United, with all due respect to Newcastle fans, will enrage them, I think Leeds United is a bigger football club than Newcastle United”, Jordan said on talkSPORT.
“Leeds United have a different feel. You know when you’re in the presence of greatness and you know when you’re in the presence of size and scale.
“I know a lot of Leeds fans, I’ve spent time with people that have been involved with Leeds United on their board, I know it is a big club. It’s not a case of I think it is a big club, I know it is.”
Leeds will have a target on their back when they go up
Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton got promoted to the Premier League last season but are now sitting in the relegation zone at this stage of the campaign.
Leeds are aware of the challenges they would face if they go up but it’s fair to say they would be under more pressure than any of the three teams they got promoted last year.
There are some top teams in the Premier League such as Manchester United and Chelsea who have a heated rivalry with Leeds and a trip to Elland Road will be a cup final for many others.
Can you name these past and present Leeds United players?
Leeds will have the added pressure of being a big club and they won’t be treated as any other team that get promoted from the Championship.
Jordan’s words have ensured Newcastle will have a chip on their shoulder the next time they face Leeds in the Premier League should the Whites go up.
