Danny Mills has confidently declared that Leeds United are the best team in the Championship but has fired a warning to Marcelo Bielsa's side if they don't win promotion.
United suffered two defeats in their three matches before the international break, which saw them drop to fifth in the table behind West Brom, Nottingham Forest, Preston and Swansea City.
Just two points separate top-place West Brom and sixth-placed Bristol City, which shows a fierce battle for promotion lies ahead, and Mills has urged Leeds to show their strength.
However, he is concerned by the financial burden that Leeds could carry if they fail to seal a return to the Premier League this term.
"They are the best team in the Championship but they have got to prove it week in, week out," he told TalkSport.
"They have a good squad of players and they've now got a good bench. The stuttering has started but it's a massive gamble.
"I think the wage bill at the moment for Leeds, including the manager and his staff, is £35-40m, that's big for the Championship.
"They need to get up this season. If they don't, you start to worry. They're already talking about the owners, who have just come out and said there might be new investors, might be looking to sell the club, we've known that for some time.
"If they don't get up this season with that sort of wage bill, I know a lot of those players are maybe on loan and the manager with his team, there could be difficult times ahead for Leeds."
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