'It buzzes like hell' - Lucas Radebe salutes Andrea Radrizzani and assesses Leeds United's promotion prospects

By Lee Sobot
Published 22nd May 2020, 11:50 BST
Updated 22nd May 2020, 12:00 BST
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WHITES legend Lucas Radebe says Leeds United are ready for the Premier League on and off the field in a city which would "buzz like hell".

Radebe's former side sit top of the Championship and hold a seven-point cushion in the division's automatic promotion places with nine games left.

The season remains suspended amidst the country's ongoing battle against coronavirus but the EFL are still hoping to fulfil the division's remaining fixtures by the end of July.

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Should the season be curtailed, Leeds would be crowned champions via the EFL's unweighted points per game model with the EFL saying promotion and relegation should be retained.

LONG WAIT: Lucas Radebe duels with Chelsea's Adrian Mutu at Elland Road during Leeds United's most recent season in the Premier League in 2003-04. Photo by STEVE PARKIN/AFP via Getty Images.LONG WAIT: Lucas Radebe duels with Chelsea's Adrian Mutu at Elland Road during Leeds United's most recent season in the Premier League in 2003-04. Photo by STEVE PARKIN/AFP via Getty Images.
LONG WAIT: Lucas Radebe duels with Chelsea's Adrian Mutu at Elland Road during Leeds United's most recent season in the Premier League in 2003-04. Photo by STEVE PARKIN/AFP via Getty Images.

And Radebe has hailed the work of United's Italian chairman Andrea Radrizzani in getting Leeds ready for a return to the top flight for the first time since 2004.

Former Whites centre-back star Radebe also believes that last season's failure to secure promotion has also worked as a blessing in disguise.

Speaking to former Arsenal and England ace Ian Wright as part of an Adidas Home Team episode, Radebe said of Leeds: "I watched them last season and I thought they were unlucky.

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"But I think it was good that they stayed in the Championship and made sure that they galvanised.

"I met the owner of the club and he showed me the ground and he's done a lot of work there.

"The Academy as well, the training ground, it's Premier League standards so I can't see why they can't come up this season.

"I think it would be brilliant for the club and it would be brilliant for the city.

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"That city, once the club plays well and is achieving, it buzzes like hell. It becomes the best city ever."

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