Leeds United have just 12 games left to see through their promotion to the Premier League, which many have thought inevitable for some time now.
If Leeds United weren’t already the favourites to win the Championship title, then comeback wins against top two rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United has certainly made Daniel Farke’s side the favourites now.
Leeds have really shown their class in the last two games. After their 3-1 win over Sheffield United last time out, Leeds now have a five point cushion at the top of the Championship table, ahead of another tough game against top six opponents in West Brom on Saturday.
As Leeds continue to take steps towards the Premier League, more and more exciting names are being linked with summer moves to Elland Road, In particular, it seems like no.9s are the focus with Leeds United linked with several strikers of late, including Tammy Abraham among others.
But there’s also other positions being looked at with two Southampton stars linked with Elland Road moves right now, in Kyle Walker-Peters and Cameron Archer.
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Southampton situation is ‘disastrous’ says Alex Crook
Derby County hold the record for least amount of points in a Premier League season. They claimed 11 points during the 2007/08 campaign but Southampton are on track to break that record with just nine to their name so far, and 11 games left to play.
The Saints sit rock bottom of the Premier League table having sacked Russell Martin back in December and soon after replacing him with Ivan Juric. Since, however, the Croatian has taken just two wins from 12 games, losing the other 10.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Alex Crook has discussed just how dire the situation is at St Mary’s, explaining: “I would be amazed if he’s still the Southampton manager for the start of next season. They’ve already appointed Simon Rusk as a more senior member of management. I think that could be the first step towards Ivan Juric being forced out of the club.
“And I think it’s a disastrous appointment. He’s playing an attacking midfielder in Joe Aribo as centre-half when he’s got better centre-backs on the bench. Tyler Dibling is clearly their most talented outfield player. His confidence has absolutely gone through the floor since Juric – who is a bit of an old school disciplinarian manager – came in.”
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Southampton struggles is good news for Leeds United
With the Saints in a mess an looking set to return to the Championship, a year after beating Leeds United in the Championship play-off final, Leeds could get their revenge by poaching a couple of their star players.
Walker-Peters in particular has held his own despite Southampton’s struggles. Leeds United are keen to sign Walker-Peters on a free transfer but he has interest from the likes of West Ham as well.
Meanwhile, Archer is open to joining Leeds United after his failed deadline day move to West Yorkshire.
For Leeds, it might now be a case of waiting for Southampton’s situation to unravel further, and then swooping in to pick up the pieces; namely Walker-Peters and Archer who could be two of many to leave the sinking Southampton ship in the summer.
With Juric backed to leave, there’ll be a lot of uncertainty at the club in the summer, and likely a lot of changes to the playing and also non-playing staff too.
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