The widening gap between the Premier League and Championship doesn’t help anyone | OneFootball

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says the gap between the Premier League and Championship is growing.

The Tractor Boys have lasted just one season in the top flight and are already preparing for life in the second tier.

Fellow promoted sides Southampton and Leicester City have also gone back down, making it two years in a row when all of the new boys failed to stay afloat.

“It’s clear for everyone to see what was pitched as maybe the highest-level top end of the Championship ever last season,” McKenna said.

“Three teams with 90-plus points for the first time – two of whom were really established Premier League clubs over the last decade, and Leeds United, who didn’t manage to make it as well in the mix.

“And those three teams have all fallen short for different reasons this year. It’s clear that the gap is big.

“Of course, when that happens for two seasons in a row, that’s 17 teams who have two full seasons of Premier League money and everything that comes with that. And it makes it harder for everyone to catch up.”

The growing chasm is problematic for English football

The 2023/24 season was a bad one for the promoted teams. Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley collected just 66 points between them.

That equates to an average of just 0.58 points per game (PPG) – the joint-worst cumulative total in top-flight history (along with season 1891/92).

However, the bottom three sides this season have garnered just 50 points between them after 34 games. The chances of them picking up 17 more points are remote.

When you factor in that two of the teams relegated last season could make an immediate return to the top flight, the issue becomes more pronounced.

The growing chasm is not only impacting the competitive balance in the Championship, but it is also not a good look for the Premier League.

Burnley spent around £100 million on new players after winning promotion in 2022/23. They won five matches in the top flight.

Ipswich shelled out around £129m after climbing into the top flight and have recorded just four victories.

While they will probably need to sell some players this summer, they will end up with a squad which is too strong for the Championship.

The answer to the problem is not immediately evident, but there needs to be discussions about reversing what could become a long-term trend.