‘I’m fully convinced’… Daniel Farke says he has so much faith in 27-year-old Leeds United player

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The turn of the New Year has provided some first-half-of-the-season fringe players a chance for a run in the Leeds United side.

Between October and December, Daniel Farke very much had a settled starting XI in which he would rarely make any changes.

However, a poor couple of results during the festive period, coupled with some injury problems, has seen the team change somewhat in recent weeks. Ilia Gruev, Patrick Bamford and Junior Firpo are all currently playing a key role, having barely been involved during the first half of the season.

All be it in the Championship, Firpo is arguably enjoying his best run of form in a Leeds shirt. He has four assists in five starts in 2024, while the defensive side of his game has also looked solid, keeping in-form Norwich City winger Jonathan Rowe very quiet on Wednesday.

Speaking in his pre-Plymouth Argyle press conference yesterday, Leeds boss Farke discussed the resurgence in form of Firpo and claims he told him right at the start of the season he would be a key player for him.

Farke opens up on early Firpo talks

He said: “I’m very delighted for Junior and a little bit proud because I know he had difficult years and was criticised a lot. I made it clear in our first conversations, he’s one of my key players in my thoughts for this season because I’m fully convinced of his potential.

“The main topic is to stay fit and resilient. It was difficult for him because he was out for several months but we always backed him and told him, ‘we wait until you’re back’. He’s been back in training a few weeks and competitive games, improved game-day-to-game-day.

“Area for improvement is quite thin because he’s playing well at the moment. Good to have him back, not at his best shape but on his way. Chipped in with many assists in recent weeks. Improved his defensive stability and it’s good to see this.”

Firpo had been expected to leave in the summer but a long-term injury but a stop to that. However, it has ultimately turned into a blessing in disguise for Leeds given his form over the last few weeks.

The 27-year-old says he is now the happiest he has ever been at Leeds and that is very much reflecting in the performances he is producing out on the pitch.

Leeds have been looking at strengthening in his position this month, but if – and it is a big if – Firpo can stay fit, then perhaps he can be the solution for the rest of the season.