Leeds United have already added some defensive reinforcement to their squad this month as they recently signed Max Wober from RB Salzburg.
One defender that has barely had a look in this season at Elland Road is Junior Firpo, who has made just two league appearances for Leeds, both of which coming back in October.
With a knee injury keeping him on the sidelines at the start of the season, the left-back, who was signed under former Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa, has been an unused substitute for Leeds’ seven previous league outings.
This suggests that the 26-year-old, who has been criticised for his “shocking” yellow card record by Conor McGilligan, is not at the top of Jesse Marsch’s pecking order as things stand.
His performances in those two games have earned the defender a rather disappointing overall season rating of 6.23/10 from WhoScored, making him one of the lowest-rated players at the club.
If Marsch were to decide that he doesn’t want to have Firpo in his squad, one figure that has been linked with a move to Elland Road that would be a suitable replacement for the overlooked full-back is Kai Wagner.
His latest season with Philadelphia Union in the MLS saw the 25-year-old provide nine assists in 36 appearances.
In addition to that, the German ended the campaign as Union’s highest-rated player with a rating of 7.26/10 from WhoScored.
Should Leeds get rid of Junior Firpo?
Yes
No
He also made more key passes (82) and crosses into the 18-yard box (25) than any other player at the club, showcasing his clear attacking usefulness.
Described as a “unique” player by Jim Curtin, Wagner would certainly offer Marsch’s side more of an attacking presence than Firpo, who saw eight players make more progressive passes than him (66) last season.
Taking all of this into account, if Leeds were to get rid of Firpo and bring in the 25-year-old as his replacement, this could be a very smart move from Victor Orta and Marsch.