Leeds United affected as David Ornstein drops breaking Fulham news update
Leeds United have been replaced by Fulham for the upcoming Premier League pre-season tournament in America, David Ornstein reports.
The Athletic journalist had shared news earlier on Monday (10 April) that the Whites were pencilled in to join Chelsea, Newcastle, Brentford, Aston Villa and Brighton in the six-team “summer series” dependent on top flight survival, calling it a “huge opportunity for all six teams involved to expand their fanbase and boost their commercial appeal”.
But he has now reported that the club have lost out, with the Cottagers announced as their replacements for the July tournament.
Ornstein took to Twitter on Monday night with the breaking update: “Fulham have replaced Leeds United in Premier League ‘summer series’ pre-season tournament in USA.
“LUFC were lined up but current standing has seen them drop out & Fulham come in – alongside Aston Villa, Brentford FC, Brighton, Chelsea + Newcastle”.
Disappoinment
This will come as a significant blow to Leeds United, and especially due to the US marketing opportunities that would have been available to the 49ers ownership who are expected to take over in the summer.
The club being caught up in a relegation battle for the second consecutive season clearly has not been beneficial in any way at Elland Road and here is just one more negative consequence.
Javi Gracia looked to have the club on the road to safety before the alarming 5-1 collapse against Crystal Palace on Sunday (9 April).
And it may be that the result has shaken the league’s confidence in the Spaniard being able to complete his task, at least before the final days of the league season.
Instead, they clearly aren’t waiting around to find out and have instead opted to go for another American-owned club that is in no danger of dropping back into the Championship.
Shahid Khan’s Fulham are safely up in 10th place and will now enjoy the benefits of involvement in the pre-season competition.
In other Leeds United news, a Super Computer has shown an alarming change in the chances of the club getting relegated after the Palace defeat.