LEEDS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Detail view of the Leeds United club badge on the corner flag prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road on December 16, 2020 in Leeds, England.The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)
Former England striker Darren Bent has delivered his verdict on Leeds United’s promotion hopes following another torrid summer.
Despite Paraag Marathe’s claim that Leeds would be in a better position than 12 months ago to hit the ground running at the start of the season, it very much feels like deja vu.
Leeds have lost arguably their three best players in Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, and now have just two weeks to replace them.
Results and performances on the pitch have hardly helped matters, either, with a frustrating 3-3 opening day draw with Portsmouth followed by a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to Middlesbrough.
It was the poor start to the campaign a year ago which ultimately cost Leeds promotion, and it would appear the 49ers have not learned from those mistakes.
Bent makes Leeds promotion prediction
Despite losing three of their biggest stars, Daniel Farke still boasts a squad of players who many other managers at this level would love.
Brenden Aaronson, Dan James, Joel Piroe, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Junior Firpo have all cost Leeds significant amounts of money in the last three years, more than most Championship clubs could afford.
Having said that, in comparison to last season, the squad is significantly weaker and so with Burnley and Sheffield United looking very strong, Leeds are already falling behind.
Speaking on talkSPORT, though, pundit Bent believes Leeds are still more than good enough to be promoted with some of the players at Farke’s disposal.
