Junior Firpo has enjoyed arguably the best period of his Leeds United career since the turn of the New Year.
Firpo had started just one of Leeds’ first 26 Championship matches due to injury and the form of Sam Byram, but has not looked back since a 3-0 victory over Birmingham City on January 1.
At one point, it had even looked possible he could leave Elland Road leading up to the January window. Real Betis were said to be interested, while reports from Spain also suggested an exit was what he wanted.
Leeds were also on the lookout for a new left-back but put that pursuit on hold after Firpo’s integration into the team, and Daniel Farke will now be glad they did amid his run of form.
Speaking only recently, Firpo revealed that Farke is his favourite Leeds manager he has worked under since joining from Barcelona, and he has had a fair few.
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Firpo now leading the way in key Championship stat for 2024
Leeds made a return to winning ways on Monday night at Middlesbrough, with Firpo producing arguably his best performance in a white shirt in the 4-3 win.
The 27-year-old has always had questions marks surrounding the defensive side of his game at Leeds, but made some key interventions at the back to help see out the win. His back-post header in stoppage time was huge.
But the area of his performance which will undoubtedly win him the headlines is the fact he provided another two assists. His cross for Patrick Bamford was superb and almost a carbon copy of the goal scored at Sheffield Wednesday.
Though Crysencio Summerville’s goal was all about the strike, it was his calmness on the ball and drive in possession that helped set it up.
And with that saw Firpo register his seventh assist of the season, all of which have come in 2024, and from open play. No player in the division has more than him in this calendar year.
It is great to see him finally showing the best of his ability at Leeds, and who knows, had he been fit the whole season, he may have even been around the numbers Leif Davis has produced this season.