Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch insists he has been given some serious food for thought at left-back due to the recent performances of Junior Firpo. Pascal Struijk has held down the role for the entire season so far, winning plaudits after successfully moving from his natural centre-back position back in August to make the spot his own.
The Dutchman only got the nod at left-back due to the injury Firpo picked up whilst playing against Blackpool in pre-season, ensuring he missed the opening two months of the campaign, but his form has seen him earn a new deal at Elland Road and move into international contention. Firpo has struggled for chances in the Premier League since returning to fitness, making just three appearances with the October outing at Leicester City representing his only league start.
However, the 26-year-old has found opportunities in the FA Cup this season and, as it stands, he has been an ever-present for the Whites in the competition. Firpo picked up some praise for his performances in the third round against Cardiff City and he played his part in a 3-1 win over Accrington Stanley last Saturday, bagging his first goal for the club to cap a strong performance in Lancashire.
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Those displays in the cup last month caught Marsch’s eye, it seems, and they have been enough to see the Dominican move into contention for a league spot. Struijk, who missed the trip to the Wham Stadium with a small knock, is the man expected to line up for the Whites against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday, but the head coach is more than aware that Firpo is ready and waiting in the wings.
“I think Junior has been really good,” Marsch said about the man Leeds signed from Barcelona back in July 2021. “I know he's had a tough time here with injuries and with fans sometimes being dissatisfied with him, but his mentality to work for the team and to try to get himself into really good form has been good.
“I think now he's played in three Cup matches and I think he's been one of our best players in all three of those matches. So, I think we're getting him fit, we're getting him sharp and I think he's challenging and knocking on the door to get himself in the starting XI for league matches as well.”
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