Legends fear gulf between Championship and Premier League is bigger than ever

PREMIER League legends Ian Wright, Gary Neville and Roy Keane are 'absolutely worried' about an increasing gulf with the Championship that is making the top flight as good as a closed shop.

- Peter Smith

For a second season in a row, the teams who won promotion will be relegated. This time Southampton are already down, Leicester City are doomed and Ipswich Town are on the fast track back to having their fate confirmed.

Leeds United and Burnley, who have been relegated in the last couple of seasons, are on the verge of going back up, while Sheffield United, who went down last year, are in third.

The 'cliff edge' between the two divisions is now said to be more than £100m and is in danger of being unnavigable.

"We should be absolutely worried," said Wright, above. "There are 17 teams in that are continually getting money because three teams are coming in, whether it's Leeds, Sheffield United or Burnley or whoever, and then they go again.

"These 17 teams are continually getting stronger, the middle teams getting so much better than the three teams who are coming up."

He added: "You look at Wolves this season. They have been so bad this season but they have had nothing to worry about."

Neville pointed to the financial disparity between the Premier League and the rest, highlighted this week by the release of the fees each club has paid to agents this season. Chelsea had paid as much as the whole of the Championship combined, with Manchester City not far behind.

A Premier League club has a guaranteed income of £100m due to broadcast revenue, whereas a team in the Championship can bank on just over £5m.