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Leeds United are seen as one of the outsiders for European qualification this season, which may be helped by a bombshell punishment for Manchester City.
From seven games so far this season, Leeds have 10 points. It’s only two points more than this stage last season, but there’s a different feeling about United so far.
Us fans won’t get carried away early, of course. However, the neutrals are looking at Leeds with plenty of admiration at the moment.
Manchester City punishment could be relegation-level points deduction as Leeds United watch on
Elsewhere in the Premier League, the current pace is being set by Manchester City. Normally, Enzo Maresca would be lauded for a perfect start with seven wins from seven. Still, the overriding feeling is: who cares?
The reason is that Man City have a looming punishment hanging over their heads for their outrageous financial cheating between 2009-2018. The Premier League reached a guilty verdict last month (subject to appeal). As a result, it’s sure to be an unprecedented punishment if this appeal fails.
Now, the Daily Mail are reporting that insiders close to the situation expect a points deduction that would guarantee the Citizens’ relegation.
“It is thought that the Premier League are pressing for City’s punishment to be announced before the result of their appeal, which is unlikely to be decided before the end of January,” Oliver Holt writes. “Soundings from insiders suggest the most likely punishment is a swingeing points deduction which will ensure City’s relegation to the Championship, plus a huge fine.
“It is also possible that the punishment would include a further points deduction that would effectively confine City to the Championship for at least one more season. The EFL would not be obliged to accept that sanction for one of their clubs but it is probable that they would.”
Leeds United’s European hopes boosted if Man City are doomed for relegation
At present, Leeds’ only objective for this season is to avoid relegation, hopefully in more comfortable fashion than last season.
Beyond that, anything we do above finishing 14th would be a great bonus. And, it would be proof that Daniel Farke is progressing this club along with the 49ers.
That being said, there’s not a great margin between lower-mid-table and being in reach of conversations about Europe. Last season’s 14th-place finish left us just six points off qualifying for the Europa Conference League.
So if Man City – one of the sides nailed to finish above Leeds and take one of those spots – are suddenly shunted to the foot of the table, that opens the door for someone to take their place in the pecking order.
Should this reported punishment drop as we speak, Leeds would move to sixth after seven games. Given the discourse around Farke’s side right now, this punishment would certainly propel United very much into being talked about for Europe.