By Sean Fisher

8th Oct, 2022 | 5:10pm

Premier League attendance numbers show it's time for Andrea Radrizzani to follow up on Elland Road promise

Leeds United rank 10th in the Premier League when it comes to attendance but an expansion at Elland Road would see the Whites soar up the table.

Leeds United boast one of the biggest followings in the country. As a one-club city, the majority of Leeds is part of the footballing community.

Elland Road is that community’s home, and for so many, it’s a place of joy, memories and football worship. Moving stadiums is out of the equation for Leeds, but the 39,000-seater stadium could do with an expansion or two.

The Yorkshire Evening Post recently tallied all 20 Premier League clubs’ capacity and home attendance, with Leeds coming in 10th with an average of 36,410.

But with the club now cementing their Premier League status, and home tickets becoming harder and harder to access, it’s time for Elland Road to evolve and grow.

The club have lofty ambitions and want to become a team regularly competing in European competition, but it needs a ground fit to match those dreams.

Thankfully, it seems club chairman Andrea Radrizzani is already chalking up plans for a stadium expansion, and his previous promises line up with this season.

In a recent interview with The Athletic, Radrizzani outlined the club’s plans in regard to Elland Road’s expansion, with the Italian claiming Leeds were always targeting their third season in the Premier League.

“I always said to Angus Kinnear, we’ll look at the expansion of the stadium when we’re in the third year of the Premier League,” said Radrizzani.

“The chance to go back in the Championship is very high in the first and second year but much lower after.

“Now we can move on. Angus has initiated some activities to finance the project. It will be over £100million to renovate the West Stand and build it to a 55,000 capacity. We’re going step by step but, hopefully, we move soon with a financial partner.”

Should Radrizzani follow through on his promise of boosting Elland Road to 55,000, Leeds would draw level with Manchester City with the fifth-largest stadium in the Premier League.

With the club back in the top flight and thriving under Jesse Marsch, the Leeds faithful would still not struggle filling it out.

Any expansions or upgrades are likely to take time and likely won’t be ready for the next season or two, but Leeds are in a great position to start planning.

In other Leeds United news, Jesse Marsch should hand promising Leeds youngster his full debut v Crystal Palace