Ex-Leeds United midfielder Lee Sharpe believes his former club will achieve promotion to the Premier League next season.
The Whites were hoping to return to the top tier at the first time of asking this season. They looked good value for just that, especially when they briefly topped the table in March. However, a run of two wins from their last eight games saw them drop to third, where they had to settle for a place in the play-offs.
Daniel Farke’s team comfortably dispatched of Norwich City in the semi-final, setting up a mouthwatering clash with Southampton at Wembley Stadium. The Saints ultimately proved to be on step too far when Adam Armstrong’s solitary strike handed them a 1-0 victory.
Leeds will now face another season of Championship football, which could result in a number of key stars departing Elland Road. Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto are both expected to move on, whilst starlet Archie Gray is likely to attract a raft of interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
Incomings are expected, although spending power may be limited due to their play-off failure. Despite that, former player Lee Sharpe believes that they will come back stronger. Speaking exclusively to Real EFL via the home of the betting bonus code, he said:
“I think they have to harness that gutted feeling, take that with them and realise how they felt, both when they lost out on automatic promotion but also when they lost the final at Wembley. As a team, that’s what we did at Man United when we lost out on the title to Leeds in that first year (1992) and we used that as ammunition to go and win it the next year, and I think that is exactly what Leeds will do next year.
“I think they’re a strong, organised outfit and the fans have been absolutely incredible and I have absolutely no doubt that they will be up there and challenging again for it next season.”
Continuing, the ex-England international reiterated his belief that Leeds will earn themselves promotion at the second time of asking:
“Of course it will be very difficult with the three Premier League teams that are coming down, with the Premier League players and more money in the coffers to go and strengthen. But I definitely see Leeds looking and challenging to go up automatically next season again.
“By hook or by crook next season, I think they will be coming back up and back in the Premier League.”
Writer’s View
Next season has now become more important than this one after their failure at Wembley. Leeds cannot afford to miss out on promotion next season and doing so again could have huge ramifications on the years that follow.
No disrespect to the teams coming down, but they are arguably weaker than the ones that are going up and that will stand them in good stead, even if they do lose their key stars. They are still a big name and will be able to attract players who will still make them stronger. They have to be one of the favourites to win the Championship.
Head of Writing
