Junior Firpo has become one of Leeds United’s key players during the calendar year of 2024.
Firpo has seemingly put all of his injury troubles behind him to become a staple of Daniel Farke‘s team, and he is reaping the rewards with his performances on the pitch.
With Leeds once again having one of the youngest squads in the league, Farke said recently that Firpo has stepped up into a real leader. He was Leeds‘ oldest starting player at Cardiff City.
Leeds and Firpo now both have a big decision to make regarding his contract. His current deal expires in 2025, and it would be a shame to lose him on a free.
Firpo is said to be open to an Elland Road contract extension, but may wait and see what offers he has. It will also depend on Leeds getting promoted.
Leeds star Firpo leading the Championship for key stat
Though it is his leadership which has been praised by Farke, his actual performances have also been impressive. He has improved defensively, but it is still in attack where he shines.
Since the turn of the New Year, Firpo has nine assists in the Championship. That is despite playing behind four different left-wingers in just nine months.
Despite criticism over Farke’s football, clearly it is getting the best out of Firpo. He has recognised his strength in the final third, and so a lot of the play comes down his side.
And that is shown by the fact no player in the Championship has had more touches in the final third than Firpo this season, with 168, according to LUFC Data. As a defender, that is very impressive.
Clearly Leeds are looking to make use of his impressive crossing ability by finding him in those dangerous positions. His ball for Joel Piroe’s goal against Hull City showed his quality.
As such, it is only a matter of time before the assists start flowing as frequently as the second half of last season.
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Why Jayden Bogle is also underrated at Leeds this season
New signing Jayden Bogle has come under fire in his first six games at Leeds. Tony Dorigo has already criticised Bogle a bit defensively, but going forward there can be no qualms.
So far this season, Bogle has an expected assists (xA) tally of 1.35. Coventry City’s Milan van Ewijk is the only defender in the division with higher. That also excludes Bogle’s penalty win at Cardiff.
That statistic is all the more impressive considering how much Leeds prioritise the left, too. Against Cardiff, Firpo had 35 more touches than him.
In fact, West Brom is the only game so far this season Firpo hasn’t had more, as the two were level. It shows how much attacking potential Bogle has that Leeds perhaps aren’t getting the best out of yet.
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