Leeds United ready for promotion, says former defender

Radebe’s former side sit top of the Championship and hold a seven-point cushion in the division’s automatic promotion places with nine games left.

The season remains suspended amidst the country’s ongoing battle against coronavirus, but the EFL are still hoping to fulfil the division’s remaining fixtures by the end of July.

Should the season be curtailed, Leeds would be crowned champions via the EFL’s unweighted points per game model with the EFL saying promotion and relegation should be retained.

Radebe spent a decade in the Premier League with Leeds from 1994 to 2004 and the South African has hailed the work of United’s Italian chairman Andrea Radrizzani in getting United ready for a return to the top flight for the first time in 16 years.

Former Whites centre-back Radebe also believes that last season’s failure to secure promotion has also worked as a blessing in disguise.

Speaking to former Arsenal and England ace Ian Wright as part of an Adidas Home Team episode, Radebe said of Leeds: “I watched them last season and I thought they were unlucky.

“But I think it was good that they stayed in the Championship and made sure that they galvanised.

“I met the owner of the club and he showed me the ground and he’s done a lot of work there.

“The Academy as well, the training ground, it’s Premier League standard so I can’t see why they can’t come up this season.

“I think it would be brilliant for the club and it would be brilliant for the city. That city, once the club plays well and is achieving, it buzzes like hell. It becomes the best city ever.

“Leeds have got this squad of players which are really looking forward and they’re hungry to play in the Premier League but you can see that quality as well.

“They are very committed.

“They want teams coming to Elland Road and not feeling confident because with the fans it’s an absolutely amazing atmosphere.

“But you don’t know what’s going to happen, whether the season will resume.

“It’s a tough one.”

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