Leeds handed blow over exciting investment thanks to PL meeting held on Friday – report
Leeds United have been handed a blow in their bid to raise their academy to Category 1 status, according to Training Ground Guru.
The news outlet claims that Leeds had made investments to improve their current Category 2 academy as elevation to the top level would see them earn the right to Premier League Elite Player Performance Plan funding and be able to attract better players.
Burnley and Crystal Palace are also said to have applied for Category 1 status, which would see their Under-23s side play in Premier League 2 next season.
However due to the coronavirus-enforced suspension of the Premier League and EFL, Training Ground Guru reports that audits have been delayed.
It means that, after a Premier League meeting was held on Friday, Leeds might have to wait until the 2021/22 season before they have a Category 1 status academy.
As it stands, there are 24 teams in the top-tier of academies.
They range from the very best of the Premier League to the likes of Leeds’ Championship rivals West Brom, Derby and Fulham to League One club Sunderland.
Leeds are a massive club with an academy that is well-known for producing top players.
Marcelo Bielsa’s insistence on using players from the Under-23s in his first team and the fact that Leeds are closing in on a top-flight return is bound to improve their chances, as well as the reported investment that has been made.
Unfortunately, another year might have to pass by before Leeds’ academy status is upgraded.
It is a blow but it is something that the club will be able to revisit at some point in the future.
In other Leeds United news, this is what the FA are likely to enforce over loan deals that expire in June.