Leeds United v Newcastle United: Magpies show scale of Whites' challenge
Leeds United need only look at Monday's visitors to Elland Road to see how difficult it is for Premier League clubs to make the next step. But it will not stop them trying.
The 2024-25 season was a big one for Newcastle United.
They finally ended their 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with the League Cup. They also qualified for the Champions League for the second time under Saudi ownership.
Then came the hangover. Alexander Isak was picked off – very slowly – by Liverpool and the money spent on Nick Woltemade, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa did not deliver.
The Magpies finished 12th in 2025-26. Eddie Howe left as manager, the vultures picked off Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali and now it feels like they are starting again.
It looks like the established clubs have got their way.
This year's FFP (financial fair play) acronym has gone from PSR – profit and sustainability rules – to SCR – squad cost ratio – but it may as well be called SQP – status quo protection – as the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea do their damndest to make sure no one else can do a Manchester City or a Chelsea.
Having already squatted in one closed shop by staying in the Premier League as a newly-promoted side, Leeds are looking to repeat the trick by progressing again.
It will be difficult but the transfer business Leeds have done this summer whilst staying within SQP restrictions – just about, they think – has raised optimism not just in West Yorkshire, but further afield that they can.
Managing director Robbie Evans looks back on the summer's work as "a good window and a good deadline", adding, with tongue in cheek, "I must say I’m a little concerned by how optimistic the fans might be."
Newcastle are proof that just when you think you might have cracked it, you can step off one ladder onto a snake.
"The Premier League's the best league in the world and small details can make a huge difference," says Leeds manager Daniel Farke.
"You have to value the good times and when you have something to celebrate, celebrate – it's important!
"If a club like Newcastle with the signings they had in more recent history are struggling a little bit, then it tells you a lot how difficult it is for a newly-promoted side or a side in the second year after promotion.
"We have not done it in the last (nearly) 25 years to play two solid seasons at this level. We have had a bright start but consistency and hard work are needed."
Whilst it might be difficult to break the glass ceiling, never mind to not cut yourself doing it, not trying defeats the object.
“I’ve got a big desire to make sure that this optimism at Leeds United remains," says Farke. “But we can’t go overboard about things or become too big-time.
“This club had one good season on Premier League level under Marcelo Bielsa a few years ago when we finished ninth in 2020-21.
“Everyone was saying ‘Buy your suits for Europe’ and two seasons later the club got relegated.
“I have to make sure we stay humble and grounded. We have to make sure we continue establishing ourselves at Premier League level.
"I experienced last season when we were on a cup run – just to the semi-final but at least a first (FA Cup) semi-final for a while (since 1987) – and I see how much enthusiasm and joy and fun and pride it has created within our fanbase.
"Our fanbase is the biggest motivation, not the success of other clubs.
"I want to make them happy and after many difficult years give them a lot to be proud of and something to cheer about, especially during these strange times in the world when we have so many other problems.
"It's important to find the joy and the pride in football.
"This is what I want to do together with my boys for the Leeds supporters.”