For clubs these days, promotion to the Premier League can make a club financially, and equally, relegation can ruin clubs. Just ask Leeds United and take a look at the finances from the last few years.
Failure to go up after defeat to Southampton in the play-off final forced Leeds to sell a couple of big guns. Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter all left the club for a combined £110m.
But imagine if Leeds didn’t have a gem such as Gray or Summerville to sell? Financially, Leeds could have really struggled after the 1-0 loss to Southampton. Promotion eases the PSR and cash flow concerns.
Fill in the blank: Brenden Aaronson will finish the season with ___ goal contributions? 🤔
The American international is enjoying his best-ever Premier League season
Credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
It makes promotion necessary and pivotal for a club like Leeds. However, one part of a club does suffer when promoted, and that is the youth. Younger players struggle to break when trying to avoid relegation.
Just ask Harry Gray, who, after making his first-team debut last season, has not had a sniff this time around despite his stunning U21 form. James Debayo is another example of being a victim of promotion.
James Debayo finally finds a new club after Leeds United exit
In 2021, Leeds beat Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea to sign London-born Debayo. He would go on to play twice for the first team last season, under Daniel Farke. But his deal ended in the summer.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Debayo had an offer on the table from Leeds. But the young defender chose to move on from Leeds, probably realising that he was not going to add to his two senior appearances with Leeds promoted.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Debayo had interest from abroad, but it has only taken until now for the defender to find himself a new club. He’s joined Joe Gelhardt’s Hull City, where a real former Leeds contingent is starting to develop.
Hull captain Lewie Coyle is a Leeds academy product who played 23 times for Leeds. Darko Gyabi went to Hull in the summer and Oli McBurnie was in Leeds’ academy until 2010. Now, they have Debayo.
Should Leeds have done more to keep James Debayo? 🤔
Seemed like he’d make it at leeds…
We are delighted to announce the signing of promising young defender James Debayo. ✍️
Welcome to the Tigers! 🧡#hcafc
— Hull City (@HullCity) January 4, 2026
View Tweet
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
What Joe Rodon said about new Hull City star James Debayo
There was a genuine belief that Debayo could make it at Leeds. The defender is one of only a handful of youngsters that Farke has played, alongside Sam Chambers, Charlie Crew and Harry Gray at Leeds.
Farke prides himself on being a manager with faith in youth but during his time at Leeds, that has not really been the case. Joe Rodon, however, saw a player in Debayo while he was with the first team.
Rodon said, last season: “James is a calm head on a young boy’s shoulders. I’m sure he’ll have a bright future. Of course, he’s been limited to opportunities, but when he’s had the chance, he’s done really well.”
Now, after months without a club, Debayo has a new home and could make his debut for the Tigers in The FA Cup this weekend when Gelhardt and co. play host to fellow Championship side Blackburn.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox