Leeds United are now preparing themselves for the departure of a few high-profile players this summer.
It’s the worst-case scenario, but it’s one everyone associated with the club has to accept.
That’s what happens when you lose a play-off final and deny yourself the chance to compete alongside the elite teams in English football.
Yes, Leeds United have earned promotion before at the second time of asking. That happened under Marcelo Bielsa when they won the Championship outright after losing to Derby County in the play-off semi-final.
Even Daniel Farke, when he went up with Norwich City, did so at the second time of asking, so these are good omens for the club.
But the issue facing Farke here is that he might lose a few key players, in fact, he will lose at least one, with the obvious name of Crysencio Summerville being thrown about.
Whilst everyone expects the Dutch winger to depart, sources have also told HITC that new Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany is targeting Archie Gray as a possible signing.
But despite those rumours, Jermaine Beckford stated that he simply can’t see the youngster leaving because he is ‘Leeds runs through his blood’, as he told talkSPORT (27/05/24 at 8:45 am).
The former striker added that Gray should have been named ‘Player of the Season’, not Summerville, with the 18-year-old having an outstanding breakthrough campaign.
Archie Gray’s future at Leeds United
“Archie Gray, I don’t think so,” said Beckford about the midfielder’s future. “I don’t think so. Leeds runs through his blood. His family have got history with Leeds United. He was born a Leeds United fan and he has come through the ranks.
“This is his breakthrough season. I personally believe he deserves to be Player of the Season because of the impact he has made based on being a young player in his first season. Playing out of position as well.”
Leeds United need to show their ambition
It’s understandable if Leeds need to raise money for a sale or two, which a player like Summerville, if they get the right price for him, can raise.
But the club need to stick their chest out and really prove their worth here by keeping players like Gray on board.
Yes, fans will still be hurting after losing to Southampton and it will linger on for months and months, or until the season starts.
But keep as many key players as you can and earning promotion, via the automatics, is a minimum next season, even with three newly relegated teams coming down from the Premier League.
