Journalist Dean Jones believes defender Junior Firpo can be a “game-changer” for Leeds United if he finally fulfils his potential amid recent improved from.
What’s the latest on Junior Firpo and Leeds?
The left-back netted an absolutely crucial goal in the Whites’ most recent Premier League game against relegation rivals Southampton.
Indeed, the 26-year-old’s effort was enough to new manager Javi Gracia all three points at Elland Road in his first game in charge with Leeds winning 1-0.
However, this was a rare moment of quality from Firpo who has struggled to play regularly this season but Jones believes he has the ability to go on and provide much more for the club.
While talking on the Chasing Green Arrows YouTube channel, insider Jones said (54:09): “Firpo is someone who should be doing a lot better in his career than he is.
“And if he can come out of this season well, then Leeds will have somebody that is genuinely a game-changer and a real asset to them. So that’s interesting that he actually came out on top there.”
Junior Firpo
As a younger player, Firpo impressed in Spain with Real Betis to earn himself a move to Barcelona. However, he left the La Liga giants after just 41 appearances.
It’s safe to say he never truly found his best form under Jesse Marsch and didn’t start a single Premier League game for the American this season – albeit, that was partly due to a knee injury in the first few months of the campaign.
Since the change in manager, however, he has started four league games in a row and played the full 90 in Gracia’s first match in charge, scoring the aforementioned winner.
Seeing as his new boss also has his footballing roots tied to Spanish football, perhaps the two will be sell suited to work together at Leeds.
Firpo certainly got this new era off to the perfect start. The only question is, can he finally live up to expectations and deliver on a consistent basis? Only time will tell.
