Football League World compared the wages of Leeds United, Leicester City and Southampton

Football League World has conducted a comparison of the wage bills of Leeds United, Leicester City, and Southampton, three teams relegated from the Premier League last season, all vying for promotion back to the top flight.

Leeds United faced challenges during the summer transfer window, with several players seeking to depart. In contrast, Leicester City adopted an approach of investing in players to facilitate their return to the Premier League. Southampton, having invested in young talents the previous season, placed trust in these individuals.

As of the 2023/24 season, all three clubs are making progress toward their promotion goal. Leicester City has emerged as the front-runner, establishing a considerable lead over Leeds in third place. Despite slow starts, both Leeds and Southampton have found their stride and are strong contenders for promotion, closely trailing surprise package Ipswich Town in the automatic promotion spot race.

Examining the wage bills:

1. Leeds United (£39,513,000 annually):
– Estimated weekly wage expenditure: £759,865.
– Five players earning over £50,000 per week, with Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter as the highest earners at £70,000.

2. Leicester City (£60,190,000 annually):
– Estimated weekly wage expenditure: £1,157,500.
– Significantly higher spending compared to Championship rivals, with expectations of winning the division.
– Jamie Vardy is the highest earner at £140,000 per week.
– Eleven players earning £50,000 or more per week, surpassing the highest earners at Leeds and Southampton.

3. Southampton (£40,014,000 annually):
– Estimated weekly wage expenditure: £769,500.
– Six players earning £50,000 or more per week.
– Mason Holgate and Joe Aribo are the highest earners at £70,000 per week.
– Experienced players like Jan Bednarek and Stuart Armstrong command wages of £60,000 and £65,000, respectively.

Leicester’s substantial investment and higher wages position them as favorites for promotion, while Leeds and Southampton, despite having smaller wage bills, remain competitive and are poised to challenge for promotion.