Richard Keys makes point about Leeds United as he hits out at unfairness in the Championship

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The race for automatic promotion from the Championship sees two of the Premier League’s relegated sides sit either side of Leeds United, who were only relegated in 2022-23.

Leeds came within an inch of joining fellow-relegated side Leicester City in gaining promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt. But it was the other relegated team, Southampton, that went up.

Chris Wilder feels Leeds are “miles ahead” of his Sheffield United side after 19 games despite The Blades sitting a point ahead of The Whites so far. Wilfried Gnonto says the Leeds squad are not thinking about it.

But if anything is to be taken from those chasing automatic promotion from the Championship, is that all of the top-three sides are currently benefitting from parachute payments from the Premier League.

• READ MORE: Daniel Farke says Leeds United have a “special” player that will never be quick

Richard Keys names Leeds while making Championship point

Relegated clubs from the Premier League receive 55% of the equally-shared broadcasting rights among top-tier sides in the first season after going down. Parachute payments reduce the chance of bankruptcy.

Sheffield United and Burnley are currently receiving that figure. In the second season after going down, clubs receive 40% – which is where Leeds are. The third season sees clubs get 20%, and then back to zero.

In his latest blog, Richard Keys says the Championship’s top three is proof that parachute payments are unfair on the rest of the division, naming Leeds given the Whites are still receiving Premier League cash.

“Have you looked at the top of the Championship recently? Two of the top three relegated last season – Sheff Utd and Burnley – and squeezed in between them are Leeds, who went down the previous season.

“Are we surprised? Rick Parry is right when he argues that parachute payments distort competition in that league,” presenter Keys explained, even if the other relegated side Luton Town are way down in 18th.

Are Leeds where they are because of parachute payments?

Or is it because of smart, savvy work in the transfer market and the work of Daniel Farke? Leeds will argue the latter. Leeds chose to sell their best players last summer in order to balance the books at Elland Road.

Leeds’ biggest sales since relegation in 2023:

Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter were sold for north of £100m. While parachute payments would have helped Leeds financially, it did not stop the club selling their best players.

Keys’ point that parachute payments help is true. But Sheffield United, Leeds and Burnley are also where they are because they have the best managers and have worked hard in the transfer window.