Are Leeds United equipped to survive in the Premier League?

Local TV Sport

Daniel Wales looks at what Leeds United will need to remain in the Premier League.

Transcript

00:00Now for Leeds United, obviously coming up to the Premier League

00:04in an incredible season.

00:06So many goals scored, so many fantastic results for them

00:10that they, you know, made sure they really, really got the job done

00:14and had to really with the squad they had, the size of the squad,

00:17the, you know, wage bill that they carried in the Championship last season.

00:22They make sure, but they have pledged to obviously spend every penny

00:26under PSR rules, you know, backed with the £100 to £150 million

00:31war chest for transfers, it's been reported in Yorkshire.

00:36So, you know, they do face mounting losses over the £100 million from 2010,

00:42obviously expected in next season's sort of draw, meaning they will need

00:47to balance sales and spending.

00:49They will need to be, you know, strategic with their recruitment.

00:53You know, it looks like they're going to prioritise a goalkeeper,

00:56a striker, a left-back and midfield role.

00:58So it's going to be a bit of an overhaul, a bit of making sure

01:01they keep that core, but also build on the momentum they have

01:05from the promotion.

01:06They want to make sure they have these players who are experienced

01:08in the top flight to keep them there.

01:10That's the massive thing.

01:13I mean, obviously, a bit of a tactical reset, you know,

01:17Daniel Farker's going to have to sort of adjust things to ensure

01:21they do stay up.

01:22A squad overhaul as well, transfers, and then, you know, spending

01:26and being careful with the PSR rules now in the Premier League once again.

01:31Dan, what are your thoughts in terms of what Leeds need to ensure

01:35they survive in the Premier League?

01:37It's obviously been, you know, a couple of seasons now, back-to-back,

01:39where all promoted sides have dropped at the first time of asking.

01:43So Leeds likely to really try and give it a go at bridging that gap, you'd hope.

01:48Dan, what are your thoughts? How is it looking for Farker's side

01:52in terms of where they want to be?

01:54And then overall, the club, is it positive at the moment?

01:57Are Leeds fans confident that they can stay up in the Premier League?

02:03Well, Charles, as things go for a newly promoted side from the Championship

02:06up to the Premier League, I think it's as good as it probably could be

02:10in terms of what they've done in the summer so far

02:12and what that indicates in terms of how good of a season they're going to have.

02:16They've brought in three new signings in Sebastian Bono,

02:20Yaka Biol and Lucas Nemecha.

02:22So, I mean, obviously, they haven't spent an awful lot on those players.

02:26The fees weren't huge.

02:28But overall, it's just strengthening their squad.

02:31You could argue that other clubs, such as Sunderland,

02:33who, of course, went up with them,

02:35they've spent more on individuals.

02:39They've brought in Javi Diara, who, of course, Leeds United wanted as well.

02:42But Sunderland were able to get that deal done for around £30 million.

02:47So, Sunderland going big on one player there,

02:49whereas Leeds going smaller on three different players.

02:53So, I suppose it's a different way of approaching it,

02:55but certainly what they're doing is adding to their squad

02:57and making sure it's got more depth.

03:00And, I mean, obviously, you could argue that paying those sorts of fees

03:04for players that they have paid for the players they've brought in

03:07won't get you world beaters, especially in this inflated transfer market.

03:11But it will add quality to some extent.

03:14So, you can't fault Leeds for just trying to pad out their squad a little bit

03:17and just making sure that if there are injuries,

03:19because we know what can happen in the Premier League,

03:21especially if you have an injury crisis,

03:23just how much that can derail your season.

03:26So, therefore, by bringing in players who can come in and stand in

03:29and do exactly what they're needed for in certain circumstances,

03:34Leeds are doing the right thing

03:35and ultimately just making sure their squad is beefed out enough

03:38for the trials that the Premier League will bring.

03:41Now, it's, as I say, it's whether those players are good enough

03:44for the test and the trials and the tribulations of the Premier League.

03:47That remains to be seen.

03:48But they're doing all right, Leeds.

03:50They're navigating the market at the moment.

03:52They're making sure that, as I say, that they're getting signings in.

03:56They're not wasting their time at all.

03:57And they're going about their business.

04:00Of course, pre-season hasn't yet started yet for Leeds United at Thorpe Arch,

04:04but it will do soon.

04:05And it's good to have three new faces who will join the current squad,

04:10of course, when they all come back to pre-season training

04:13to help them bed and gel in immediately.

04:16Obviously, you've said goodbye to the likes of Mano Sonneman,

04:19who played such an integral part of last season.

04:22He's now gone back to Spurs because, of course, he was only on loan.

04:26But overall, you can't rest on your laurels too much.

04:28Leeds don't seem to be, at the moment, making a move for him.

04:31That might change, of course, later in the window to bring him back.

04:34But Leeds are certainly going about their business all right.

04:36So I think what it's going to take to survive, well, keep doing this.

04:40Make sure that the pre-season is as effective as possible.

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