Junior Firpo shines out of position as Leeds United ace plays major role in Dominican Republic win
With the international break slowly but surely winding down, Leeds United supporters will have one eye on the return to Championship action.
Several members of Daniel Farke’s side have impressed while away on international duty ahead of the clash with Burnley on Saturday (14 September), giving the Whites boss plenty of food for thought.
After a late flurry of business in the final hours of the transfer window, the German has plenty of options to choose from as he looks to really jumpstart Leeds’ promotion push this season.
One man who will have all but guaranteed his place in the Whites’ starting XI with his impressive displays over the last few weeks will be Junior Firpo.
The versatile defender started as a centre-forward in the Dominican Republic’s win over Bermuda and according to YEP journalist Joe Donnohue, he played a major role in his country’s win over Dominica.
Writing on X on Tuesday (10 September) Donnohue said: “Assist for Junior Firpo, who appears to be playing as a left-sided No. 10 with the Dominican Republic, and Willy Gnonto starting for Italy’s U-21s this evening despite fears he may have been injured last week.”
Junior Firpo update emerges for Leeds United at Elland Road
It wasn’t too long ago that Firpo was being slammed by journalists, supporters and pundits alike, with some being quick to use the left-back as a scapegoat on the final day of the Championship season last term.
The 28-year-old was torn into for an “embarrassing” piece of defending in the final-day clash with Southampton at Elland Road which allowed Will Smallbone to tap in an opener from close range [Beren Cross, 4 May].
Only a matter of months later, not only has the former Barcelona man managed to become a reliable member of Farke’s squad, but he is also flourishing out of position on the international stage.
Although Firpo is still just as capable of having a complete brain fade out of possession, the defender has the skill to unlock a defence with a single pass that very few defenders in the second tier possess.
It is unlikely that Farke will throw him into the fold in either an attacking midfield role or as a makeshift number nine, but his performances over the last week have shown that he is no longer deserving of his scapegoat status.
In other Leeds United news, Farke can breathe a sigh of relief after a new Wilfried Gnonto development emerged
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.