Premier League parachute payments have often been accused of distorting competition in the Championship.
In the past 10 seasons half of relegated teams (15 of 30) have bounced straight back to the Premier League.
Although recently relegated Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United look well placed for an immediate return, Luton – who went down last season – are in danger of dropping into League One.
Over the past decade 14 teams in this year’s Championship have spent time in the top tier, while no team has spent more than 10 years in the division. QPR were relegated in 2015, while Bristol City and Preston – neither of whom have played in the Premier League – were promoted in the same year.
That unpredictability and feeling anyone can beat anyone was highlighted last weekend, when joint-bottom Plymouth beat Sheffield United..
“Ignoring the fact that the clubs relegated from the Premier League have an unfair financial advantage because of parachute payments, a well-run, hardworking, well-coached team that is astute in the transfer market has every chance of making it to the play-offs, where stature counts for nothing,” David from the Forever Bristol City Podcast told BBC Sport.
“Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton have all shown what can be achieved from humble foundations.”
