A Leeds United player has admitted that he struggled to show his best form since being signed by Marcelo Bielsa until this season, as he impresses under Daniel Farke.
The manager has got the best out of this Leeds squad. Farke has masterminded the club’s recovery after a poor run of results in the first few weeks and now an instant return to the Premier League is on the cards.
His work in the transfer window has been excellent, against the odds. Players were allowed to leave on loan and that meant Leeds were unable to rake in any cash at Elland Road to then reinvest in new players.
But the money Leeds did have was spent well. Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Glen Kamara and Joel Piroe have all impressed this season, costing around £30m. Farke has also got the best out of the existing players.
Plenty of players have improved since Farke’s arrival, most notably Georginio Rutter. David Prutton says Rutter has won Leeds fans over after a difficult start to life in Yorkshire. Another is left-back Junior Firpo.
Injury and a lack of momentum hampered Firpo in his first two years after arriving from Barcelona under Marcelo Bielsa. Question marks about his defensive capability, but Farke has got the best out of Firpo.
Speaking to LUTV ahead of Friday night’s clash against QPR, Firpo admitted that he is now showing the best form of his Leeds spell. He admits he wasn’t able to do what he is doing now, in his first two seasons.
Junior Firpo admits he struggled at Leeds in his first two seasons
“To be fair, the assists, it’s a really nice thing. I’ve always been an attacking full-back. Over the last few years I wasn’t able to do what I have been doing. I don’t know if it is the division, way we were playing.
“But since I started to play in January, I have felt very comfortable. I think we play in a way that suits me a lot. The relationship I have created with Cree on the left is fantastic. Contributing makes me so happy.”
Firpo is now an important member of this Leeds side. So much so, that he even played the entire 90 minutes on Monday night in the 4-3 win at Boro despite Firpo suffering from illness and vomiting.
Firpo emerges as creative source for Leeds, one of League’s best
The stats do not lie when it comes to Firpo. Since he came into the side in January, the left-back has laid on seven league assists which is more than any other Championship player from open play in 2024.
He will start for Leeds on Friday night when the Whites go up against QPR at Loftus Road. Farke will look to the former Real Betis left-back to mirror his efforts at Middlesbrough, in which he laid on two assists.
Former Leeds defender Ben Parker has predicted an away win on Friday night against QPR. A win piles the pressure on Ipswich Town who then go to Hull City on Saturday evening, possibly four points behind.
