Leeds United’s return to the Premier League in 2025-26 has been a massive challenge. After coming up alongside Sunderland and Burnley to replace Southampton, Leicester, and Ipswich, Daniel Farke’s side have had to scrap for every single point. Back in the top flight after three years away, they have spent the season digging in.
As it stands, Leeds United sit 15th in the Premier League, four points clear of the relegation zone, which is close enough to feel the pressure, but far enough away to keep their heads. Alongside that survival scrap, they have pulled off something much bigger, and that’s reaching the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 39 years by beating West Ham 4-2 on penalties after a wild 2-2 draw.
Keith Wyness Believes a Cup Final and Survival Would Define a Successful Season
That dramatic win at the London Stadium caught the eye of Keith Wyness. The former Everton CEO, who now advises elite clubs, told the Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast that a cup final combined with staying up would make this a massive success for Leeds. He pointed to the upcoming semi-final against Chelsea as a fixture full of history, nodding back to the famous, hard-hitting 1970 final between the two.
Wyness argued that this game means a huge amount to fans who remember those old rivalries. Importantly, he backed Farke as a manager who has found his feet in the Premier League, calling Leeds a cup-style team that could actually get a result at Wembley. It’s an assessment that fits the general mood, for a newly promoted side with a tight budget, a Wembley final would be way beyond what anyone expected back in August.
“If they can get into a cup final, that would be amazing.
“Now, Chelsea vs Leeds brings back many memories for people of my age, the cup final, the famous cup final. It really was a battle, and I’d urge anybody to try and look at the videos of that game. It was amazing.
“The two legs as well with the replay. It was incredible.
“Daniel Farke is somebody who’s learnt a lot and has proven he’s a Premier League manager. He’s got this Leeds team doing well, and they are a cup-style team, and they could actually do this against Chelsea.
“If they get to a cup final, and they stay up, that would be considered a very good season for Leeds. I’m sure the Leeds fans would take that, certainly.”
Can Leeds United Genuinely Afford to Treat This as a Cup-and-Survive Season?
Yes, but there is a thing to note. Wyness is right that a cup run and survival would be incredible, but there’s a risk in getting too caught up in the romance of the cup while the league table looks this tight. People have asked if a cup final would be worth it if Leeds United went down, and the honest answer is no.
Relegation would reset everything the club have built, the finances, the squad, and the belief that Farke is the right man to keep Leeds at the top. That said, there’s no proof the cup is actually hurting their league form.
With the semi-final set for April 25, Leeds United have the space to focus on both. The reality is that this squad doesn’t seem overwhelmed by the big stage; they seem to love it. That spirit is exactly why this game against Chelsea feels like it could actually go their way.
