The race for automatic promotion from the Championship sees two of the Premier League’s relegated sides sit either side of Leeds United, who were only relegated in 2022-23.
Leeds came within an inch of joining fellow-relegated side Leicester City in gaining promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt. But it was the other relegated team, Southampton, that went up.
Chris Wilder feels Leeds are “miles ahead” of his Sheffield United side after 19 games despite The Blades sitting a point ahead of The Whites so far. Wilfried Gnonto says the Leeds squad are not thinking about it.
But if anything is to be taken from those chasing automatic promotion from the Championship, is that all of the top-three sides are currently benefitting from parachute payments from the Premier League.
A general view of the Leeds United badge on the side of the stadium prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United FC and Watford FC ...
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Richard Keys names Leeds while making Championship point
Relegated clubs from the Premier League receive 55% of the equally-shared broadcasting rights among top-tier sides in the first season after going down. Parachute payments reduce the chance of bankruptcy.
Sheffield United and Burnley are currently receiving that figure. In the second season after going down, clubs receive 40% – which is where Leeds are. The third season sees clubs get 20%, and then back to zero.
In his latest blog, Richard Keys says the Championship’s top three is proof that parachute payments are unfair on the rest of the division, naming Leeds given the Whites are still receiving Premier League cash.
“Have you looked at the top of the Championship recently? Two of the top three relegated last season – Sheff Utd and Burnley – and squeezed in between them are Leeds, who went down the previous season.
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“Are we surprised? Rick Parry is right when he argues that parachute payments distort competition in that league,” presenter Keys explained, even if the other relegated side Luton Town are way down in 18th.
Are Leeds where they are because of parachute payments?
Or is it because of smart, savvy work in the transfer market and the work of Daniel Farke? Leeds will argue the latter. Leeds chose to sell their best players last summer in order to balance the books at Elland Road.
Leeds’ biggest sales since relegation in 2023:
Name Club Date Fee
Archie Gray Tottenham July 2024 £40m
Georginio Rutter Brighton August 2024 £40m
Crysencio Summerville West Ham August 2024 £34m
Luis Sinisterra Bournemouth February 2024 £20m
Tyler Adams Bournemouth August 2023 £20m
Glen Kamara Rennes July 2024 £8.5m
Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter were sold for north of £100m. While parachute payments would have helped Leeds financially, it did not stop the club selling their best players.
Keys’ point that parachute payments help is true. But Sheffield United, Leeds and Burnley are also where they are because they have the best managers and have worked hard in the transfer window.