Leeds United have dodged Junior Firpo bullet after what he’s done away from Elland Road
Leeds United may now be counting themselves lucky that they parted ways with Junior Firpo during the summer transfer window.
The Dominican Republic international was an integral part of Daniel Farke’s promotion-winning team last term, as he ended the season with an incredible 14 Championship goal contributions from left-back.
Firpo was out of contract at Leeds following the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign, and ultimately opted to move on, despite receiving the offer of a new deal at Elland Road.
The 29-year-old instead joined Real Betis, and the Whites may now be glad that he did following the latest emergence from the La Liga outfit.
Junior Firpo is struggling after Leeds exit
Firpo’s departure from Leeds was a lengthy process, as it took several months for him to settle on his decision to move back to Betis.
He previously came through the academy ranks of the Seville-based side, before leaving them to join Barcelona ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.
The return of their former hero was a big moment for Manuel Pellegrini’s team in the summer, but it appears that he hasn’t had the desired impact so far.
- Firpo made over 110 appearances for Leeds across his four-year stay
- He returned to his boyhood club Real Betis in the summer
- He has since played just four of their opening eight league games, notching one assist
Firpo has been kept out of the starting XI at times by the veteran Ricardo Rodriguez, with Pellegrini understood to be favouring the Switzerland international due to his experience and leadership, according to AS.
The former Whites star hasn’t started a league game since 19 September, and his new club are thought to still be waiting for him to “adapt to the demands of the league.”
He is likely to get opportunities in the domestic cup and the Europa League, but Pellegrini is said to be hopeful that Firpo “will show cards” that have not yet appeared, indicating that he is a little frustrated with what he has seen from his new man so far.
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The Whites will be satisfied with the outcome on Junior Firpo
While it is extreme to say that Leeds will be happy to see Firpo struggling after his departure, they will undoubtedly be relatively satisfied with the way his move has played out.
They would surely have rather kept the defender, but equally, they appear to have made the right call by not breaking their wage structure to keep him, or making special allowances just to try and tempt him to stay.
They have instead been able to secure a very capable replacement in Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Firpo’s recent form is proving that they have ultimately made the right decision.
His experience at Premier League level was limited prior to Leeds’ promotion, and the early signs from his return to La Liga suggest that he may not have been capable of handling the level of football.
With that in mind, it would be no surprise if Farke and the club hierarchy are quietly pleased with how this situation has played out.
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