On the day that Leeds United reportedly asked their players to consider taking a wage cut, preparations for the future could understandably have been placed on hold at Elland Road.
That will certainly not be music to the ears of Whites fans, as it not only gives off an indication of the financial crippling that the worldwide fight against COVID-19 is having, but even if the club gets back on an even keel may well have large consequences on the months ahead.
Leeds supporters could be forgiven for thinking their club is under some kind of curse. Three weeks ago they were seemingly cruising to the riches that the Premier League guarantees, and now they face economic ruin.
Make no mistake, the current landscape is purely all about survival for the majority of football clubs, large or small, but should the Whites come out on the other side intact, one man who they will want to ensure remains with the Yorkshire outfit is Ben White.
The central defender, on a season-long loan from Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion, has been a key performer for Leeds this term, and turning his temporary deal into a permanent one would surely have been high up on the to do list of Marcelo Bielsa, before COVID-19 turned the world upside down.
The 22-year-old has made 40 appearances in all competitions for the Whites in the current campaign, often alternating between centre-back and the defensive midfield role, and has been one of the leading lights in the Championship campaign.
Should Leeds get the chance to continue their push for the Premier League, he is expected to remain a key figure, who supporters of the Yorkshire club would love to see make his stay at Elland Road permanent.
That might not be possible in the current financial climate however, which would be a huge blow to the Whites moving forward.
