By Pranav Shahaney

6th Oct, 2021 | 8:10pm

Bielsa had not scored Firpo higher than 7/10 before Watford game

Marcelo Bielsa sits down with his staff at Leeds United after every game and rates the players on a scale of 1-10, according to Phil Hay.

The Athletic journalist has written that new signing Junior Firpo did not score lower than a 6/10 in any of Leeds’ games this season and not higher than 7/10 before the Watford encounter.

Having signed for £13million from Barcelona this summer, the Spain international has played in four Premier League games for the Whites thus far.

In his recent piece, Hay wrote, “After every game Leeds play, Bielsa and his backroom staff sit down and grade each player’s performance from one to 10 (one being woeful, 10 being almost unattainable).

“Prior to Saturday’s 1-0 win, Bielsa had not scored Firpo lower than six but had not scored him higher than seven either. His impression of Firpo was much like the public’s: that the defender’s performances were hit and miss.”

Some improving to do

It’s not easy fitting into a Bielsa team, especially one where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

This team has been so well-tuned since their time spent in the Championship that any changes to it will mess with the system.

This does not mean that Firpo is a bad fit, but it is fine to write off the first few months as Bielsa demands an intense lot from his players, something which the Spaniard was not used to at Barcelona.

That said, the Watford game was a perfect indicator that Victor Orta has brought the right man through the door this summer.

A full Spain international and still in his mid-20s, Firpo could still develop and become one of the Premier League’s best left-backs.

He’s got all the tools at his disposal and the guidance of the right manager to excel in England’s top flight and we’re certain we’ll be seeing a different player in the coming months.

In other Leeds United news, Journo issues update on Radz’s plans of reported £52m investment in foreign club