Leeds wage bill second biggest in Championship history

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 5th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road


Leeds wage bill second biggest in Championship history

For well over thirty years now, there has always been an expectancy for West Yorkshire's finest to be doing a lot better than they have been! The days of Macca, Batty, Speed and Strachan dominating midfield, aerial dominance from the likes of Chappers and set piece wizardry from Harte and Sterland are now just a distant memory for most.

Mismanagement, inept owners, lack of funds and sheer bad luck can be attributed to much of this. I'll concede that the 49ers have put Leeds Utd back on a firm footing, with foundations running deep, which is ever more puzzling why they didn't strengthen during the Winter transfer window, but we may have found the answer!

The intervening years have been a turbulent mix of mismanagement, questionable ownership, financial constraints, and sheer bad luck. While the arrival of the 49ers has brought stability and laid robust foundations for the future, the lack of activity in the recent winter transfer window left many aghast. However, a potential explanation may lie in the club's financial structure.

This season’s wage bill is the second biggest in Championship history, bettered only by last season’s outlay at Elland Road. The expectation has always been that last year’s play-off losers would hit the front in 2024-25, but Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland have clung on until now. United’s rivals for the title will not give up the chase, and Farke will certainly not be counting any chickens.

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Burnley close the gap after U's victory

Burnley moved to within two points of Leeds with a narrow 1-0 victory against Oxford Utd last night at Turf Moor. Scott Parker's side are on an unbeaten 18 game run, and have kept 22 clean sheets this season, conceding just nine times. Leeds could go five points clear of both Sheffield Utd and Burnley if they win at the CBS Arena tonight, something they haven't done for fifteen years. The Blades are back in action at the weekend (hosting Portsmouth), whilst both Burnley and Leeds continue on the respective Cup runs.