It is difficult to find a Leeds United player that is not currently in form. Cree Summerville, Georgi Rutter, Archie Gray, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu – plenty of Leeds stars are in the form of their lives.
Daniel Farke is getting the best out of his side. But in Junior Firpo‘s case, there are still question marks. The one position in the team that you would still suggest requires strengthening, come the summer.
But even Firpo – despite a “woeful” first half against Sheffield Wednesday – was picked in this week’s Championship Team of the Week. He produced a gorgeous assist for Patrick Bamford, for our first.
The left-back was forced to watch from the sidelines for much of the first half of the season due to injury, and Sam Byram’s form. But, he has since started 11 of our last 12 league games this season.
In that time, he has laid on five assists – the last of which being a crucial goal for Leeds to turn the tide in a match where we were second best in the first 45. Phil Hay says Farke urged The 49ers to keep him.
“During the summer restructure, it would have been easy for Leeds to sell Firpo. Not lived up to expectations. Leeds’ porous defence conceded 78 goals as it slid out of the Premier League last season.
“Firpo struggled throughout. Farke, however, saw a player who could contribute and make an impact at a lower level and told the club to keep Firpo as part of his plans,” Hay continued, discussing Firpo.
Phil Hay says Daniel Farke urged 49ers to keep Junior Firpo
What is for sure, is that Firpo is our best option on the left of defence. Firpo offers much more in the final third than Sam Byram and right now, with the way we play, that means Firpo gets the nod for us.
A player that Angus Kinnear once described as “world class”. He has a contract at Elland Road until the summer of 2025 and the chances are, he will struggle to get a new one. But, for now, he’s our best.
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