Junior Firpo got Leeds United’s pre-season underway with the opening goal at Harrogate Town.
Firpo tapped in at the back-post from a low cross across the face by Mateo Joseph, setting Leeds on their way to a comfortable 3-0 victory against their West Yorkshire neighbours.
Seeing Firpo in the starting line-up was certainly a relief to Leeds supporters considering the rumours that have been surfacing all week regarding his future.
Former club Real Betis are reportedly in talks over a potential deal for the 27-year-old, with the Spanish media suggesting that it is a move he wants to make.
There was even a wild suggestion that Firpo’s contract could be terminated a year early to push through a move, but hopefully those reports are wide of the mark.
Firpo drops Leeds future hint to Joseph on Instagram
Firpo is one of the more experienced heads in the dressing room at Elland Road and Joseph has said in the past what a big role he has played in his career so far, behind-the-scenes.
Having come into the team in January, he also showed what an asset he is at this level last season with eight assists across 33 appearances in all competitions.
In Daniel Farke‘s newly tried system at Harrogate, Firpo will also fit that left-wing-back spot perfectly and that was shown with him getting in at the back post to score from Joseph‘s cross.
Firpo posted a three-word message on Instagram at full-time last night simply stating, ‘we are back,’ but it was his response to Joseph in the replies that could offer hope he is staying.
After setting him up, Joseph labelled Firpo as a ‘goal scorer’ in the comments to his post, to which Leeds’ left-back responded with, “next one I give it to you.”
Obviously this is only a bit of light-hearted banter with a teammate, but the fact he says there could be a next time can offer a bit of hope that he will be staying.
How Leeds’ back five could line-up if Firpo stays
As mentioned, Farke had a little tinker with the system last night and that more advanced role certainly suited Firpo well.
He could quite easily smash double figures for assists next season by playing further forward, particularly when you consider how many he got in a short space of time last term.
On the other flank, Leeds will also have a very attack-minded full-back in Jayden Bogle, who is set to join imminently with a medical underway this morning.
With the news Max Wober is also staying, a centre-back trio of him, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk also looks incredible at this level. Could be exciting times.
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