Gary Lineker drops Leeds United promotion verdict after what he saw in loss v Chelsea
Gary Lineker has tipped Leeds United to earn promotion back to the Premier League after their narrow 3-2 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup.
The Whites fell to an injury time defeat in midweek to lose 3-2 to rivals Chelsea and crash out of the cup in the FA Cup fifth-round despite naming a weakened starting lineup.
But speaking on the Rest is Football podcast (1 March), Lineker admitted that he still expects Daniel Farke’s side to return to the Premier League next season and suggested that they already have a Premier League calibre squad.
“It was end to end stuff,” he said. “I think Leeds are a decent side.
“I fancy that Leicester and Leeds will be the two sides promoted back to the Premier League and I think they both, probably, have Premier League squads.”
Leeds United have a Premier League squad
Most Leeds fans will agree with the statement from Lineker, because they felt it at the start of the season too.
Leicester’s greatest strength in their squad is the midfield with the likes of Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, Wilfried Ndidi and Harry Winks, but Leeds have got quality flowing throughout the squad.
Most of the team have Premier League experience anyway after last season, but the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Daniel James, Joe Rodon and Glen Kamara have all played in Europe too at the highest level.
In addition to that players like Joel Piroe have already ripped up the Championship too which shows that they have the level required to step up into the Premier League if they need to.
This is the strongest squad Leeds have had for a while, and it will only be weaker next season if they don’t get promotion. It really could be now or never in terms of securing a return to the top flight.
In other Leeds news, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer clash after what they saw at Leeds United this week.
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