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Big revelation shows Leeds Andrea Radrizzani must get QSI involved with Leeds – opinion

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Leeds may be making strides on and off the pitch but it is clearly coming at a price, with the published accounts for the 2018/19 season showing a need for new investment.

Andrea Radrizzani deserves credit for the work he has overseen, not least bringing in Marcelo Bielsa, but the current model by which the club is being run is unsustainable, particularly if we fail to win promotion to the Premier League.

Since taking over full control of the club in 2017, the Italian has doubled the amount that is being paid to staff in salaries – with the club paying £20m to staff in Massimo Cellino’s final year.

The positive is that it hasn’t been in vain, as we have undoubtedly improved massively in that time, and the likes of Marcelo Bielsa and Kalvin Phillips both deserve and need big contracts in order to keep them at Elland Road.

Do you want more investment in the club from QSI or another party?

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More worrying is the fact that the Whites announced a £21.4m loss despite turnover rising, and if that model was to remain while remaining in the Championship then cutbacks would soon have to be made.

That could start with the manager, but it would likely lead to a reduction in spending, with the £15m that is due to be spent on Helder Costa an example of our increased expenditure on player recruitment.

Compare that loss to the £4.3m sustained in the year prior. It shows that Radrizzani has been ambitious in his bid to take us back to the top-flight, and therefore he shouldn’t really be criticised for a lack of spending in January.

Nevertheless, it highlights the fact that extra investment is needed, regardless of which division we are in.

The fact our owner admitted he has a strong relationship with QSI is a massive positive, as hopefully he works something out with them soon, whether that means selling a minority or majority stake in the club.

Promotion will only add to costs due to player wages and the signings we will likely make, and though revenue will increase we may only be able to thrive if QSI become involved.

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