Can Leeds United haul in second placed Newcastle?
Recent results have shown Newcastle United’s charge to win promotion to the Premier League may not be quite a foregone conclusion.
The Toon have lost two of their last three games and four of their last eight, slipping to second place in the Championship table.
Only their initially strong advantage has kept them clear in the automatic promotion spots, along with similar inconsistencies experienced by teams in the chasing pack.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez
One development this week should though have them worried, and that is the investment at Leeds United by Italian TV mogul Andrea Radrizzani.
Leeds are well placed in the table, in fifth position, and have won four of their last five matches.
They are now just seven points behind Newcastle, and with 21 games still to play, an automatic spot is still very much up for grabs.
Especially so if Leeds begin investing heavily in the transfer market. It is unclear how much money at this stage Radrizzani intends to plough into the club this transfer window, but Leeds are in a great position, and now is a smart time to strengthen.
Leeds United’s Kemar Roofe in action with Newcastle United’s Jamaal Lascelles
While key loan players have deals which require making permanent, Leeds are also in need of another striker, a winger, and potentially a left-back to cover Charlie Taylor.
If Radrizzani’s investment helps make this Leeds side just 10 or 20 per cent better and more efficient in terms of pulling off results, that could be enough to take them into the top two.
Newcastle currently appear to be the side most at risk of dropping out, with leaders Brighton winning their last five consecutive games.
Rafa Benitez’s side have an opportunity to strengthen themselves, and Leeds make more ambitious moves than they do this transfer window, it could be the Yorkshire club celebrating a surprise promotion in May.
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