Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer debate over parachute payments in Leeds United promotion verdict
Lineker stressed that it was vital for the relegated clubs to progress and return to the Premier League as soon as possible and named Leeds among the contenders this season.Shearer commented that this is a huge advantage for these clubs and a big part of why clubs are so often relegated straight back to the top division.Lineker was speaking on The Rest Is Football [January 22] when he gushed: “Southampton, what about them? They’ve set a new club record, 21 games unbeaten and now they’re second, they’ve had an incredible run..
“You’ve got Leicester, now Southampton are one and two and Leeds are not far behind. You’ve got parachute payments which are important and make a lot of difference. When you’re down like those three clubs, it’s vital that you bounce back quickly, isn’t it?”Shearer then said: “It’s a huge advantage for these clubs, that’s why we’re seeing a lot of them go down and come back up.
The fact that Lineker left third-placed Ipswich out of their promotion bids in favor of Leeds may be indicative of Daniel Farke’s side’s expectations of a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.But with Ipswich still four points ahead of Leeds and a game in hand to move them back into second place with a draw, they must consider promotion more likely.
The Championship’s top four teams look most likely to be fighting for the two automatic places, while West Brom and Coventry are currently deciding the play-off places, but with just six points between sixth and fourteenth, it’s as unpredictable as ever.There is no doubt that the relegated Premier League teams have an advantage and theGnonto parachute payments will widen the gap, but there are only two places on offer and anything can happen in the Championship, especially in the play-offs.In other Leeds United news, more Gnonto transfer news has emerged..
