How do Leeds and Burnley avoid the same fate as this season’s relegated sides | OneFootball

On Monday night, Leeds United and Burnley’s promotions to the Premier League were confirmed.

Leeds had done all they needed to do in their match against Stoke City earlier in the day to put their fate in the hands of Burnley and Sheffield United.

Daniel Farke’s men demolished the Potters 6-0, with striker Joel Piroe scoring four in the first half. Anything but a win for Sheffield United would all but condemn them to the play-offs, whilst securing Leeds’ Premier League return in the process.

Scott Parker’s Burnley would come out on top in this clash, defeating Chris Wilder’s Blades 2-1 to not only confirm Leeds’ return to the top flight, but theirs as well.

Both sides could finish the season on 100 points, but neither manager have kept a team up in the Premier League. Here is what both teams need to do to avoid the same path as the previous promoted sides before them.

Invest in quality

If Leeds had gone up last season, then they would have most likely survived. The likes of Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, who were sold last summer to help the Whites’ PSR issues, probably would have stayed, and Farke’s men cannot afford another fire sale ahead of their top flight return. Leeds have the best squad in the Championship by a mile, but investment in quality will be needed if they are to prolong their Premier League stay. Upgrades in the fullbacks, central midfield and out wide are a must, but a new goalkeeper will need to be a priority given Illan Meslier disastrous campaign.

Burnley have built a solid defensive structure that has propelled them to promotion. 15 goals conceded in 44 games is an incredible return, with goalkeeper James Trafford at the forefront of this, however with just 61 goals scored compared to Leeds’ 89, strengthening the frontline will be of upmost importance. Signing Marcus Edwards on a permanent deal should be seen as a priority, despite his struggles since his January loan from Sporting, whilst reinforcements in central midfield should also be considered.

Keeping faith in managers

For Daniel Farke and Scott Parker, this is now their third time being promoted to the Premier League, and whilst they have never managed to keep their sides up, they should be given the opportunity to do so. Farke’s future is reportedly already in doubt, whilst Parker is now being linked with former club Tottenham, so both clubs could have new managers by the start of the new campaign anyway.

Parker was dismissed by former side Bournemouth after just four matches following promotion, whilst he suffered two relegations and a promotion in-between at Fulham. Changing manager has proven not to be a golden challis in the previous two seasons, with Leicester and Southampton’s managerial switches uninspiring as they plummeted to the drop. Sheffield United also suffered the same fate after a change of manager the season prior.

Bucking the promoted to relegated trend

It had become rare for all three promoted sides to instantly drop down at the first attempt. Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United’s relegations marked the first time in 26 years that all three clubs promoted to the Premier League went straight back down. This season’s promoted trio of Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton will ensure that trend continues for an unprecedented second season. In the past Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have all survived before going on to establish themselves as top flight sides, but with the gulf between the Premier League and Championship growing ever larger, the task of top flight survival will be an even greater challenge.

Will money be made available?

Both clubs are owned by Americans, with investment from people linked to American football. ALK Capital LLC has majority control of Burnley, with Alan Pace the chairman. Former NFL player JJ Watt is a minority stakeholder in the club. Leeds are owned by the San Francisco 49ers Enterprises group, with investors including American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Energy drinks brand Red Bull also has a minority stake in the club. After selling £142 million worth of players last season, Leeds are in a good financial position to be able to spend, but Burnley’s spending power is unsure after over £100 million was spent with a return of just 24 points and relegation previously.