Premier League strugglers tipped to qualify for Europe after Man City mistake

Leeds have got their season off to a flyer with two wins over Premier League rivals in just four days.

Not only that, it was the same foe as Nottingham Forest were beaten 1-0 in the top-flight and then 2-0 in the Carabao Cup.

Getty

After Anton Stach’s late winner at the weekend, both teams made changes for the midweek tie.

The outcome was the same, though, with Leeds heading home from the City Ground with the win.

That comes just months after being relegation candidates before a late-season run of form got them out of trouble to secure a 14th-place finish.

Leeds have been Premier League strugglers in recent years but smart summer transfer business, underpinned by the free transfer of Harry Wilson from Fulham, appears to have Daniel Farke’s men in an excellent early position.

Meanwhile, the marquee arrivals of World Cup star Tarik Muharemovic and James Trafford from Man City have given the Elland Road outfit big upgrades in key areas.

And this has got talkSPORT’s senior football correspondent Alex Crook feeling Leeds could be in for a big season in all competitions.

Offering his hot take on talkSPORT’s Fiery Fridays podcast, he said: “I want to talk about one of Manchester United‘s big rivals, Leeds, who for me, we’re only a week into the new season, but they’ve been one of the success stories so far, beating the same team twice.

“Really impressive in both their trips to the City Ground and I think Leeds are going to qualify for Europe this season. Here’s why…

“We’ve got nine new managers in the dugout, 11 new permanent managers, if you include Michael Carrick and Roberto Di Zerbi who came in at the end of the last season.

“Leeds actually, along with Brentford, who I also think have got a great chance of challenging for Europe, are one of the few clubs who’ve got that stability.

Getty

“While there seems to be chaos up and down the country, they stuck with Daniel Farke when there was a possibility, a distinct possibility, both at the start of last season and midway through, that they would make a change of manager.

“It all turned for them when he went to a back-three, half-time against Manchester City. They’ve not looked back.

“They had a brilliant end to the season, including that win at Old Trafford, which I had to endure as a fan. I think their summer recruitment has been really good.

“I picked out James Trafford as potentially the signing of the summer. I think he’s that good.

“Adrian Durham agrees with me that come the European Championship in two years, there’s every chance that for the first time in a long time we might have a new England No.1.

“It won’t be Jordan Pickford, it’ll be that man, James Trafford. I love the arrogance that he’s got, the way he backs himself.

Getty

“I loved his interview after the game against Forest. He went off on a bit of a tangent, but I’m here for that. He seems to be a really good character, as well as a great goalkeeper.

“I think the centre-back has gone under the radar. Tarik Muharemovic, coming in from Sassuolo, looks right at home in the Premier League.

“Harry Wilson on a free transfer, when you look at what he did at Fulham last season, is a no-brainer. They’re still looking to strengthen at the top end of the pitch as well, maybe bringing a bit more creativity.

“I think this is a club, and it pains me to say it, with a rivalry between the two Uniteds, this is a club moving in the right direction.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they go deep in one of the cup competitions. They’ve already come through a tricky tie at Forest, and I genuinely think they can challenge for a place in Europe.

“What we know about the Premier League now, and we saw it on the opening weekend of the season, if you’re one of those so-called big clubs, the so-called big six, and you’re not at it, you’re going to get your pants pulled down.

Getty

“As Man United did at Hull, as Tottenham did against Brentford, as Aston Villa did at Brighton, there are no mugs in the Premier League this season.

“Leeds, at home in particular, are more than capable of leaving some of those big boys with bloody noses.

“I think they can certainly finish in the top eight and maybe win one of the cups.”

Leeds benefit from Man City mistake

talkSPORT host Adrian Durham was quick to get behind his view too.

“I do like the look of Leeds”, he replied. “I actually did say a couple of weeks ago in pre-season that Leeds will finish above Manchester United. We’ll see how that one goes. I wonder how that fits in with your Fiery Friday take, Alex Crook.

“I love that. the midfield duo of Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu are really good. The Joe Rodon tackle against Forest was absolutely superb, and that said a lot as well. They have real defenders at the back, and that’s what they need.

Getty

“Your James Trafford take is really interesting. I think Manchester City have let the wrong goalkeeper go.

“I think James Trafford is, I mean, people will hate me for saying it because Gianluigi Donnarumma has played for big clubs, but I think James Trafford is a better all-round goalkeeper.

“I think in terms of saving shots, you’d look at Donnarumma and say he’s had some incredible games. I’m not saying he’s a bad goalkeeper, but in terms of what future you’ve got, ball at your feet, which is so important these days, being able to throw it or kick it out long to the wings is exactly what James Trafford can bring for you.

“He’s also very good at playing the ball with his feet. He’s controlling the ball with his feet. There’s not a lot he hasn’t got, really. And yeah, he will make an error, but who doesn’t make an error?

“He will definitely be challenging Jordan Pickford for the number one jersey. I’m actually going to be disappointed if James Trafford isn’t the keeper at the Euros in two years’ time. I think it’ll only be James Trafford’s fault because he’s got everything you need to be a top-level goalkeeper. It’s whether he can apply himself and mentally make it happen.

“And one other thing about James Trafford, Manchester City went for four trophies last season. The two they won were with James Trafford in goal. My case rests, m’lord.”