Daily Mirror’s David Anderson has hit out at Leeds United star Junior Firpo for his poor performances this season.
Leeds forked out £12.8m for the full-back from Barcelona last summer, but it has been a mixed season for the 25-year-old.
Has Firpo flopped at Leeds?Yes!
No!
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When speaking with MOT Leeds News earlier this month, former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson said “it just hasn’t worked out” for him and “his defensive capabilities have been exposed”.
Struggles with injury have limited the former Spain U21 international to 23 Premier League appearances this term, but he has still managed to pick up 11 yellow cards.
Having arrived from a club the stature of Barca, Anderson has said that he would have liked to have seen more from Firpo this season.
He told GiveMeSport: “All he seems to do is get booked all the time. I think he’s up to 10 yellow cards or something. You don’t expect that from a player coming from Barcelona; you expect a bit of class, a bit of maturity, a bit of leadership, and he’s provided none of that, really.
“I think he’s been a big let-down. You’re looking around that changing room thinking, ‘Who’s going to step up and do it for us now?’ And you’d be looking at someone like him, but he’s just not. In fact, if anything, he’s been more of a liability for Leeds.”
TIF Thoughts on Firpo and Leeds…
It has been a tough season for the Yorkshire club this year, and Anderson’s statement could perhaps be reflective of a lot of the players, but his comments towards Firpo are definitely warranted.
The Dominican Republic-born defender has averaged a SofaScore match rating of 6.6 for the season, which ranks him above only Robin Koch among the regular starters at the club.
The Whites have shipped 78 goals this season and only bottom club Norwich have conceded more (79). The level of performance from Firpo, coupled with Stuart Dallas’ fractured leg will be sure to force Jesse Marsch to act in the summer transfer market in his position of left-back.
The American may want to give the £55k-per-week ace the benefit of the doubt next season, but he may well need reinforcements in that area regardless.
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