The number of Premier League appearances in the current Leeds United squad, it dwarfs Burnley and Sunderland

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Leeds United will be searching for quality this summer in the market, but also Premier League experience.

The need for both is paramount, given the balance that has to be struck at Leeds United for the 49ers and co. between both domestic and foreign-based transfer targets.

Quality and know-how will keep you in the Premier League. Burnley and Sunderland’s chiefs will be aware of that fact as well. Each side has a jaw-dropping windfall after Premier League promotion.

The former spent a lot of money on not a lot of the right experience last time — while Sunderland have the youngest squad in the Championship by average age. That is reflected in the number of top flight appearances, too.

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Leeds United’s squad has plenty of Premier League experience

Of course, every squad has players that have played in the Premier League but also in the top flight of Switzerland or France or Belgium as well.

However, none of that is as valuable as players with experiences in English football’s elite tier. It is the best league in the world in terms of the level of players on both a physical and technical level.

Therefore, having a solid base in the team is needed. Leeds have that very foundation already, with 964 Premier League appearances already in their squad.

That is helped in large part by Jack Harrison with 170, Dan James on 106, and Patrick Bamford on 102, with Illan Meslier also sat on 107. But the likes of Jayden Bogle and Pascal Struijk have also featured well relative to their age.

Of course, Harrison may yet depart. The data above does not include Manor Solomon or Joe Rothwell after their loans ended, either. It also doesn’t include Rasmus Kristensen, given that his permanent switch to Eintracht Frankfurt will go through later this month.

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How do Leeds compare to Sunderland and Burnley?

Leeds have a huge advantage in this regard over Sunderland and can still lean on significant Red Bull investment mooted at Leeds this summer as well. The Black Cats have next to nothing in experience-terms and will likely need even more investment.

Ironically, Sunderland’s paltry 30 appearances are largely comprised of Ian Poveda with 14 of those for Leeds. Loanee Chris Mepham has more of those but we have omitted loans unless they are set to become permanent.

Burnley are far better off than Sunderland but still a long way off Leeds’ figure. In their case, Jaidon Anthony’s deal has been made permanent while Zeki Amdouni and Hannes Delcroix have some appearances which can be included.

Some of their loaned out players won’t remain but their 349 doesn’t include someone like Josh Brownhill, given that he is in talks to extend his expiring contract. It also doesn’t include Ashley Barnes nor Nathan Redmond with their deals set to expire.

Each would have added a sizeable amount to their total. As it is, they have James Trafford, Joe Worrall, Connor Roberts, and Josh Cullen to thank for much of their total.

Each team has plenty of work to do this summer but it’s clear to see Leeds have a major advantage in terms of the players in their squad with regular minutes and game time in the Premier League.