Neil Warnock has predicted what kind of summer Leeds United are in store for after their play-off final defeat to Southampton, ahead of another season in the Championship.
Leeds missed out on the chance to return to the Premier League at the first attempt as Russell Martin’s side ran out victorious over Leeds for the third time this season, thanks to Adam Armstrong’s strike.
It sees Leeds’ fail to secure promotion in the play-offs once again, with The Whites unable to go up via the play-offs in all six occasions they have entered the end-of-season mini-tournament in their history.
Leeds did have chances, as Daniel Farke watched Dan James crash an effort off the bar and have another effort saved by Alex McCarthy on the edge of the box, with the Saints goalkeeper excellent on the day.
Defeat then, opens up a degree of uncertainty at Elland Road this summer. Leeds need to sell as reports of the club owing £190m in transfer fees surfaces and a number of stars will likely want to leave the club.
Former Leeds manager Warnock told Sky Sports on Sunday evening that he thinks Leeds will have a good summer, and expects the Whites to sell one or two of their young stars in order to bring in some cash.
Warnock expects Leeds to have good summer despite defeat
The issue Leeds are going to have, is that they may have to sell players to balance the books but will lack the cash required to then replace them. It is not as easy as The 49ers pumping the club full of money.
Financial Fairplay does not work like that, it requires the club to pay for itself. So, Leeds do need to sell a few players and Willy Gnonto is already looking to leave the Whites, eyeing a return to his home country.
Warnock said: “They’ll let one or two go anyhow. You’ve got great players here but you saw the subs that came on. I don’t think it’s bad to change it a bit when you’ve lost. They can be a bit more experienced.
“They can let one or two of the young lads go, get the money in. I think it could be a good summer, for Daniel [Farke]. But it doesn’t take away what he’ll be feeling tonight in that dressing room,” Warnock said.
Jon Newsome predicts five Leeds players that could depart
Newsome spoke immediately after the loss to Southampton and reckons a deal for Joe Rodon from Tottenham is now unlikely. He thinks Crysencio Summerville and Gnonto will also leave the Yorkshire side.
He also predicted interest in Ethan Ampadu, while suggesting Southampton could look at Dan James. There are going to be plenty of rumours regarding player exits this summer and Leeds clearly need to sell.
It will be interesting to see which players leave in the coming weeks and months, and if Leeds are able to bring in any replacements. But the defeat to Southampton means cash will be tight this summer.