Leeds United will be hoping to stay in the Premier League to curb the recurring theme of all three promoted sides going straight back down to the Championship.
Daniel Farke’s side were relegated under Sam Allardyce in May 2023, and with the German boss coming to the helm, he suffered anguish at Elland Road a year later when Leeds lost the Championship play-off final to Southampton.
However, they were undeterred and won the second-tier last season with a 100-point campaign, signalling a return to the Premier League, where they have made some solid summer business.
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It’s been a decent start for the German boss with Leeds being outside of the relegation zone, but the threat of relegation will be far from over for much of the season.
And TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey believes that they could conduct January business to stay as far away from the bottom three as possible.
Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty ImagesLeeds will sign ‘two or three’ players in January transfer window as Calvert-Lewin start heralded
A mixture of free signings, Premier League quality and international experience has arrived at Elland Road. But notably, all of their signings are between the ages of 25 and 28, with a clear intent to add players who are in, or coming into, their prime.
However, Bailey believes that although Leeds are ‘happy’ with how squad quality has improved with Dominic Calvert-Lewin being namechecked, they know they were a couple of players short in the summer.
And that means they will ‘definitely’ spend in the January window to further their chances of survival. Bailey told TBR Football: “They know they were a couple of players short in the summer window – that’s something they’ve accepted internally.
“They made a great start with their defensive and midfield signings, but they’re aware they still lack options in certain areas.
“Overall, they’re making a good fist of it and happy with how the quality has improved, especially with [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin and [Noah] Okafor.
“They might not be household names, but they’ve been a big upgrade on what Leeds had in the Championship.
“The plan is to be active in January – they’re looking to bring in another two, maybe three players.
“Staying up is the priority, and they know that will probably require investment. From what I’m told, they’ll definitely spend in January to give themselves the best chance.”
With little under £7million garnered in player sales in the summer, Leeds may have to be sure on the return of their January investments before signing and sealing any incomings.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty ImagesHow Leeds’ Premier League survival bid has turned out so far
Leeds have had a relatively strong start on their return to the Premier League.
Two wins over expected bottom-half finishers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and a reinvigorated Everton, have seen them put points on the board, whilst home draws to Newcastle and Bournemouth are respectable results.
Even though the Bournemouth draw came via a last-minute equaliser from Cherries striker Eli Junior Kroupi, their strong start means it’s still a valuable point.
Three defeats have all come to London teams in Arsenal, Tottenham and Fulham. They were well-beaten by Mikel Arteta’s side, but they won’t be the only side to lose at the Emirates, whilst their loss at Craven Cottage only came from a bizarre own goal from Gabriel Gudmundsson.
There is certainly reason to be optimistic in West Yorkshire and with two winnable fixtures against Burnley and West Ham after the international break, it will be a telling sign as to Leeds’ chances of staying up.