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BBC pundit says Chelsea fans will hate him for wanting Leeds United to win promotion

Robbie Savage during the pro-am (Reuters)
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Leeds United winning promotion would be a popular achievement.

Leeds United will enter 2017 right in the promotion hunt, currently sitting in fifth position in the Championship.

It is as high as they have been in the Massimo Cellino era, and Leeds are winning plaudits for their performances in the national media.

Leeds United manager Garry Monk talks to his playersLeeds United manager Garry Monk talks to his players

Last night it was the turn of BBC duo Pat Nevin and Robbie Savage, both former footballers, who told Radio 5 Live’s Tuesday Night Club they are hopeful Leeds can win promotion.

Nevin, formerly of Chelsea, admitted his view may not be popular, but feels the Premier League is a better place with Leeds in it.

He said: “Chelsea fans will chelsea fans will hate me saying this, but I personally love to see Leeds back in the Premier League.”

Pundit Pat NevinPundit Pat Nevin

Leeds and Chelsea enjoyed a strong rivalry in past decades, although this has been largely forgotten in the Roman Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge, with Leeds spending almost it’s entirety outside the top flight.

Nevin’s view was backed by Robbie Savage, who said he enjoyed going to Elland Road as a player and riling up the opposition supporters.

Savage was a wind up merchant wherever he played, but the vociferous crowd at Elland Road meant the Leeds games were one he was always really up for.

The size and passion of the fanbase makes Leeds a real sleeping giant, and Garry Monk might just be on the verge of re-awakening the club, although there is plenty of work to do yet.