Junior Firpo may have chance to save Leeds United career as changes tipped v West Brom
After a disappointing Boxing Day defeat to Preston North End, Daniel Farke is set to make changes to his Leeds United starting XI for their clash with West Brom.
The Whites make the trip to The Hawthorns on Friday (29 December) knowing that they could do with a win to reignite their hopes of automatic promotion this season and keep the pace with both Leicester City, Ipswich and Southampton.
One area that proved to be a problem on Boxing Day was at full-back where Archie Gray struggled to contain Liam Millar and should Farke decide to axe the 17-year-old, it could provide Junior Firpo with the chance to save his Leeds career.
Throughout the contest at Deepdale, Gray only managed to win two of his 11 ground duels, was dribbled past on three occasions and only managed to complete 78 per cent of his attempted passes [Fotmob].
After that poor showing, it feels likely that Tottenham loanee Djed Spence will instead move to his preferred position at right-back, having featured out of position on the left side of defence since making his long-awaited return from injury.
Farke has admitted that he will be forced to rest and rotate his squad over the festive period due to the fixture congestion across the period and there may be some Leeds players who benefit from that rotation [Phil Hay, 21 December].
That leaves a gap next to Pascal Struijk at left-back for one of Sam Byram or Firpo to fill and the Spanish defender needs to grasp that opportunity with both hands to have any hope of resurrecting his career at Elland Road.
The 27-year-old has only started one of Leeds’ opening 24 games in the Championship a 1-1 draw with Rotherham United back in November, making a further three appearances from the bench.
In that clash against the Millers, Firpo impressed at left-back, winning 100 per cent of his three attempted tackles in the match and he even managed to fashion an attacking chance with one of his two passes into the opposition’s final third.
He may not be the perfect fullback and his issues, particularly out of possession, were well documented during his time in the Premier League but Friday night’s clash against the Baggies may represent the perfect chance for him to return to the Leeds United starting XI.
The Whites spent a reported £13 million on the Spanish fullback during their time in the top flight and it seems a waste to leave him sitting on the bench as Farke’s team eye an immediate return to the Premier League [BBC Sport].
His added pace may help the Whites contain the likes of Jed Wallace and Grady Diangana and his ability in the final third could help pin back Darnell Furlong and stop him advancing up the pitch.
However, should Farke opt to start Byram or even continue with Spence ahead of Firpo, it may well signal the end of his Leeds United career. If he is just a spare part at Elland Road, it may be best for all parties if he moves on in January.
In other Leeds United news, Whites gem Finlay Gorman has shared a farewell message ahead of his transfer to Manchester City