Leeds’ clash with Brentford is era-defining with futures on the line

Leeds United face an era-defining afternoon when they visit Brentford on Sunday afternoon.

Jesse Marsch’s side go into the final day contest, which is exclusively live on talkSPORT, knowing that they need to better Burnley’s result against Newcastle in order to preserve their Premier League status for another season.

Should they fall short, it could be a long road back.

Before securing promotion to the top flight in the 2019-20 campaign, Leeds had spent 16 years outside of the Premier League.

Financial woes, changes of ownership and countless managerial hires and fires made it a turbulent time to be a Leeds fan, but after going up under Marcelo Bielsa many hoped that those dark days were over.

If the Brentford clash doesn’t go their way, it could be the start of another bleak era for the club.

Should they go down, Leeds will be under significant pressure to ease their wage bill and raise funds through player sales.

Financial Fair Play dictates that clubs in the Championship are unable to make losses in excess of £39million over a three-year period, something that is easily done given then lack of television money available.

While parachute payments will cushion the impact, the hefty wages of their Premier League players will be a huge expense at that level which means that some stars may have to be offloaded.

Among the main contenders to be sold on this summer, regardless of what league they’re in, are Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.

Phillips has endured as frustrating season with injuries stopping him from enjoying the sort of campaign that he’d have hoped after thriving for England in last summer’s European Championship.

With the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa said to be keen, it could be very tough for Leeds to keep hold of him.

As for Raphinha, it seems that the Brazilian is set for big things.

Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old who has scored 10 goals and contributed three assists this term.

While the duo are the most highly sought after of the first team squad, the likes of Pascal Strujik, Patrick Bamford and youngsters such as Joe Gelhardt could also be poached should they go down.

Such sales could give the club a financial boost, but they may not do the club much good in terms of reputation.

Andrea Radrizzani was on the end receiving end of criticism from supporters last week with the Leeds CEO hears chants of ‘sack the board’ during last week’s clash with Brighton at Elland Road.

However according to Simon Jordan, those chants are ‘unfathomable’.

Responding to Jim White’s comments that such chants won’t help the team, Jordan said: “Not at all.

“I also understand that they were singing for the board to be out and it’s unfathomable. This is a club that languished outside of the club for 16 years.

“Whatever you think of [Andrea] Radrizzani right now, and whatever you think about the decision to sack Bielsa, this is a club that sat outside of the Premier League for 16 years, went through two or three virtual administrations where Ken Bates pre-packaged them in and out of financial difficulties.

“They couldn’t find their way. They couldn’t find their backsides with both hands and a funnel, got out of the league underneath the leadership of this owner and now that you have some adversity, you’re going to shout, ‘sack the board’?

“I don’t know what to say to people like that.”

With Leeds possessing more than their fair share of marketable assets, raising funds this summer won’t be an issue.

However as far as the fans are concerned, the focus for now will be avoiding relegation and ensuring that they’re not forced into selling any players that they don’t want to.