Pundit and former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes that if full-back Junior Firpo is given enough game time, he will come good for Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.
Firpo has had a tough start to life in the Premier League as his game time has been halted due to injury and suspensions. But he has still featured 15 times this campaign, according to Transfermarkt.
Speaking about the 25-year-old’s performance against Manchester United at the weekend, Robinson told MOT Leeds News that Firpo can offer something that Leeds ‘don’t have’ down the left-hand side.
He said: “Firpo lacked match fitness but I thought he gave us something down the left-hand side that sometimes we don’t have.
“I think Bielsa played it very well tactically when Firpo came on.
“Yes, he lacked match fitness but he gives Leeds something they don’t have. He’s a natural left-back, a natural left-footer, he gets forward and he overlaps.
“I think if he’s given game time, he will come good.”
TIF Thoughts on Paul Robinson’s comments about Junior Firpo…
Firpo, who is valued at £10.8 million (as per Transfermarkt), joined Leeds in the summer from Barcelona and caused excitement upon his arrival, but he has often been missing this season.
The 25-year-old split opinions at the start of the campaign, but is arguably starting to adapt to the Premier League, as despite coming on 30 minutes into the game at the weekend, he still registered the second-highest amount of tackles (four), according to WhoScored.
After signing from Barcelona, you would imagine Firpo has something about him as a player, and he is starting to prove this after he got the assist for Leeds’ first goal on Sunday.
Albeit, he was at fault for one of the Manchester United goals after he gave away possession, but this could be expected as it was his first game back after three games out.