Leeds United’s first promotion task becomes clear after 2024/25 Championship performances

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Leeds United have been promoted at to the Premier League at the second time of asking under Daniel Farke, having beaten Stoke City 6-0 prior to Burnley defeating Sheffield United.

After Leeds were beaten in the play-off final against Southampton in 2023/24, there was both relief and delight at Elland Road as a wonderful Championship campaign so far concluded in the best possible way for Daniel Farke.

The race for automatic promotion from the Championship came to an end as Leeds thrashed Stoke City 6-0 in the earlier kick-off as Joel Piroe made history with four first-half strikes at Elland Road.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	44	27	13	4	89	29	60	94
2	BurnleyBurnley	44	26	16	2	61	15	46	94
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	44	27	7	10	60	35	25	86
4	SunderlandSunderland	44	21	13	10	58	41	17	76
5	Bristol CityBristol City	44	17	16	11	57	49	8	67
6	CoventryCoventry	44	19	9	16	62	57	5	66

Not long ago Leeds were backed to fall apart again, as they have done so often in recent years. But the Whites got themselves back on track and predictions were right ahead of Stoke visiting Elland Road.

The Clarets then secured a 2-1 win over the Blades, meaning they too have now booked their place in the top flight for 2025/26 after everything went right for them both on matchday 44 in the Championship.

• READ MORE: How Leeds United compare to this time last season as Daniel Farke closes in on Premier League return

Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo’s importance to Leeds’ attack under Daniel Farke

Burnley are indeed aiming for the title now against Leeds, with that being the only matter left to settle ahead of the final game of the campaign — albeit there are other issues to resolve off the pitch which are forthcoming.

Farke even bettered Marcelo Bielsa’s points tally of 93 in the second tier, as that win over Stoke moved Leeds onto 94. That is valuable, but promotion from the Championship is also worth a significant amount, with both Leeds and Burnley set to benefit from that.

Farke’s side will be hoping to make further history in terms of the highest ever Championship point tallies by becoming only the seventh ever side to earn triple points figures.

However, in recent years, it’s been a miserable time for promoted sides going up to English football’s elite tier. The gap between the Championship and Premier League is the widest it’s ever been. They will need a combination of quality and continuity to navigate that.

Daniel Farke has an impressive record for Leeds, but the crunch of the season is where the Whites failed last term, but two players have come to the fore of late in getting Leeds over the line. Both Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle have been praised for their Championship output this season.

There have even been calls to push Firpo further forward, with the left-back so formidable in an attacking sense. The quality and consistency of their full-backs has been vital with their enterprising and box-crashing runs often the key to unlocking their opposition.

Bogle is protected by being a recent summer signing, penning a four-year deal in the process. Firpo signed a four-year contract of his own back in 2021, meaning this could be the end of his time in West Yorkshire.

• READ MORE: Marcelo Bielsa’s words are what Leeds United must emulate against Stoke City to repeat 2020 promotion

Leeds United should extend Junior Firpo’s contract

Firpo may not have been the most popular figure for a chunk of his stay at Leeds, but he has been a real asset at times since the Whites’ return to the Championship.

Leeds are at risk of losing the left-back for nothing in the summer of 2025 due to his expiring contract, which sees him among the top earners at Elland Road — unsurprisingly so, given that he came from Barcelona.

It was always clear that he had the talent in possession, and if he could avoid the injuries that had so far blighted his Leeds career, then the club had a solution to their left-back problem.

He has been one of their best players for a while now and could possibly extend his current deal further, especially as the only specialist left-back at the club who is also left-footed. That said, he should be extended as cover and not the starting choice in the Premier League.

Leeds should source a more reliable and regularly available defensive player at left-back next season now they are promoted, which could see the Dominican Republic international move on after four years with the club.

However, a small extension feels the most sensible and optimal option for all parties as Leeds look to transition back to the Premier League with a degree of continuity.