Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has explained how Leeds United’s budget compares to their Premier League rivals as the Whites fight against relegation this season.
The odds were stacked against Leeds United this season, as they looked to buck the trend that has seen every newly-promoted Premier League club relegated in the last two seasons.
Despite an encouraging start to the season, Daniel Farke is now under increasing pressure after Leeds’ form took a downturn, culminating in the damaging defeat against Nottingham Forest.
Leeds spent over £100 million in the summer transfer window but were still left frustratingly short in attack after missing out on a late move for Fulham’s Harry Wilson.
Now, renowned football finance expert Kieran Maguire has revealed how Leeds’ budget compares to their Premier League rivals, explaining why they continue to punch above their weight financially.
Kieran Maguire believes Leeds United punch above their weight
Speaking to the Beyond the Back Four podcast, Maguire explained why Leeds have punched above their weight financially.
Leeds have reported strong commercial earnings for several years, something that the club hopes to increase with the proposed redevelopment of Elland Road, and Maguire believes that this is partly down to the heritage of the club.
Despite this, he explained that Leeds remain a bottom-six club financially and will continue to be one for several years.
He explained: “I think if you take a look at the overall numbers, Leeds United probably have a bottom-six budget, and that’s not a criticism of the new owners.
“It’s the fact that Leeds punch above their weight, as far as commercial income is concerned, because it is Leeds United. It is a club that still has that stature, history and heritage that is very much a positive.
“But trying to accelerate from a Championship budget into a Premier League budget is always going to be challenging.
“And you need to incrementally increase the investment in the size of the squad. And that takes a series of seasons. You can’t replicate what you see at Chelsea, who have a squad which has cost £1.6 billion.
“Well, if Leeds United have got a squad which has cost £200 million, it’s going to struggle to cope in terms of being competitive.
“So it’s a case of accepting that you’ve got a bottom-six budget when you get promoted. Your ambition is to finish in the top half of that bottom six. And 15th is, at this point, good.”
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Leeds United need to be ambitious in January
While Leeds currently sit outside of the bottom three, their lack of squad depth has been ruthlessly exposed in recent weeks, in a run of four defeats in five games.
Leeds face a crucial game against Aston Villa after the international break, as they look to remain in touch with the sides above them heading into the January transfer window.
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“This summer, we spent everything we could. Unequivocally, we are maxing PSR out this season. If we had gone on to other targets [on deadline day], the consequences would have been seen in the current roster. More key players from last season would have had to go.”
Robbie Evans on Leeds United’s PSR position
Having been linked with a move for Ireland hero Troy Parrott, Leeds are aware that they need to strengthen in the final third to stay clear of the drop.
Although they may be forced to make difficult choices, such as offloading Joel Piroe to fund a move for Parrott, the cost of relegation is much higher than the potential transfer fee. The 49ers may be forced to throw caution to the wind to save Leeds’ top-flight status in January.
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