Alan Shearer issues Leeds United relegation verdict as Daniel Farke fact emerges

Alan Shearer believes Leeds United have the best fighting chance of surviving in the Premier League out of the three promoted sides, although he’s still not convinced they will

Alan Shearer has concerns that Leeds United could struggle in their battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season, despite wanting the Yorkshire club to stay up. Daniel Farke’s outfit were the first Championship side to secure promotion to England’s top tier last term before clinching the title on the final day following a thrilling 2-1 victory against Plymouth Argyle.

Throughout the summer transfer window, the newly-promoted club have bolstered their squad well after a healthy windfall, bringing in seven new faces. Sean Longstaff’s £12million switch from Newcastle United represents one of the most eye-catching acquisitions at Elland Road.

Premier League legend Shearer shared his thoughts for the forthcoming season on The Rest Is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards. He explained that while he’d rather see the Whites survive in the Premier League ahead of fellow promoted sides Burnley and Sunderland, he expects them to face a tough scrap to maintain their top-flight status.

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He said: “I think out of the promoted clubs, I think Leeds will have the best chance of of staying up. I think all of those reasons that Micah has said, particularly the Elland Road factor, I think it would be absolutely bouncing in there and that could play a big part in them.

“So if there’s any one of the three can stay up, I think it’s them. But they’re going to be in a relegation battle. I’ve probably got them in relegation zone just, but if there’s one that can stay up, I think it’ll be them.”

Richards showered Leeds with compliments, revealing that manager Farke is actually his tenant. The ex-Aston Villa defender said: “I have two thoughts on Leeds. They play some really nice football, they have got money to spend, I really like the manager, Daniel Farke, probably more because he rents my flat in Harrogate.

“But they are very entertaining. I think at times last season, they played so well, they were always in games and then they would concede. And then towards the end of last season they had [Illan] Meslier who was in net, who I still really rate, but they had to drop him. They made a few mistakes late doors, they brought in [Karl] Darlow just to steady this ship, they got it over the line.

“But they’ve got some really good players, they’ve got a player called [Ao] Tanaka in midfield who is really good on the ball, gets them playing on the ball. But that [Anton] Stach who scored in pre-season the other day, been stacking them up. They have really high energy, really high energy with quality.”

Richards went on to highlight some of the squad’s strengths and weaknesses, but confessed he believes the Whites can avoid an immediate return to the Championship, adding: “Sometimes on transition they can be quite naive and they can get punished.

“But in terms of the overall squad, Elland Road will play a massive factor. We’ve all been to that ground and it is electric. It really is bouncing, you can’t get any tickets there, they’re literally sold out every week and I think that could play a massive part in them staying up.

“So I’m going to say they’re going to find it hard at times, but I think they’ve got enough quality to stay up. So I’m going to say just avoid relegation.” Lineker delivered the final verdict, playfully adding: “I think they’ll probably go back down and Micah will lose his lease.”

Farke’s side will be planning to prove the former Premier League stars wrong with a strong start to the new season, hosting the final game of the opening weekend. Leeds face Everton at Elland Road next Monday with an 8pm kick-off.

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