Harry Redknapp names Junior Firpo in Premier League team of the week after Leeds United win v Southampton
Harry Redknapp has named Junior Firpo in his Premier League team of the week after his “crucial” winning goal for Leeds against Southampton.
The Spaniard scored a 77th minute winner to help the Whites climb out of the relegation zone with the teams first victory since October in Javi Gracia’s first game as manager.
And after a tough time at Elland Road since joining from Barcelona in 2021, Redknapp has praised the left-back for his role in the performance while speaking to BetVictor (27 February).
“What a massive win that was for Leeds and Junior Firpo was crucial,” he said.
“He’s not quite hit it off at Leeds but that should give him a real lift moving forward.
“I thought he was fantastic defensively and going forward. To get a late winner just capped off a great day. It wasn’t the cleanest of finishes, but he and Leeds won’t care one bit!”
Finally
It’s been a long time coming for Firpo, but his performance at the weekend came at the perfect time for him and for Leeds.
He’s struggled to make himself first-choice at the club since arriving after battling with injuries and poor form, but with a new manager and a clean slate he turned in a top performance and was key to the team picking up maximum points.
Now he has a chance to step up and make that place in the team his own, and he can do that if he continues to perform to this level.
Redknapp’s praise is well deserved, but he must now turn that into consistent performances to not only win the fans back over who have already had enough of him, but also to help Leeds climb the table further and move away from relegation.
He’s likely to continue in the side against Fulham and Chelsea with Pascal Struijk still struggling, so he’ll never have a better opportunity to do it.
In other Leeds news, one player could be set for his first start when Leeds face Fulham in the FA Cup this week.
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