It’s been said already this summer, but Leeds United’s chances of survival hinge on two factors: their ability to prepare properly for the season, and others seeing standards fall.
Daniel Farke has plenty of work to do in order to re-write the current narrative around his Premier League credentials, having seen his Norwich City sitting rock bottom on both attempts to stay up.
What helps the German is that Leeds have already shown their willingness to spend, spending more on centre-back Jaka Bijol (£15million) than any signing made by the Canaries in either of their two summer windows post-promotion.
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What else do Leeds United need in order to stay up?
It’s not just a case of Leeds investing well in their side to comfortably stay up, because there’s also the coaching element that you have to consider.
(Action Images/Craig Brough)
Farke himself has a big point to prove in being able to coach a side to finish 17th, finishing above at least three other sides in the process.
Being better than three sides means being the best of the newly-promoted clubs, while also dragging other names into the mix as well, which might be tough after what unfolded last season.
As much as Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester were largely abysmal, the sides in mid-table set the bar incredibly high with serious consistency as well, and that has to change for Leeds and co to stand any chance.
New Premier League transfer exits could help Leeds United remain competitive in 25/26
The first step for Leeds is simply being competitive with these sides, as opposed to two successive seasons of promoted sides being the three whipping boys.
What helps Leeds in that regard is the sides outside the supposed ‘big six’ losing a lot of their star players, with this week bringing significant developments for multiple clubs.
(Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)
So far this summer, the clubs in question have lost, or are expected to lose, these players:
*Expected departures
Of course, the final name on the list, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White is subject to legal drama as his club believe Spurs triggered his release clause through illegal means, but now knowledge of his valuation is public, it could still see a transfer materialise very soon.
The money in question is staggering and gives these clubs ample resources to replace them, which some of them have already started with, but as Leeds found out in 22/23 when losing Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips for circa-£100million, having the money to replace players doesn’t always equate to replicating their quality right away.
Add to that the fact that eight teams are competing in Europe next season and consistency isn’t going to be as prevalent across the board, playing Thursday-Sunday often between September and January.
This isn’t to say that we should expect any of these sides in particular to be relegated next season, but more that their standards from last season may not carry over into 25/26, and give Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley better opportunity to collect points and be competitive in the hunt for survival.
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