Junior Firpo backs Pascal Struijk’s ‘together’ message amid Leeds contract drama
Pascal Struijk received the support of Junior Firpo as the Leeds United star sent a battle cry to the supporters at Elland Road.
The 25-year-old has created a strong bond with Joe Rodon in the centre of defence, with Burnley the only team to have conceded fewer than the Whites in the Championship this season.
While they were looking likely to ease towards automatic promotion this term, draws with QPR and Swansea City, as well as a defeat to Portsmouth, have seen Daniel Farke come under pressure at Leeds.
Sheffield United and Burnley have both kept up the chase on the West Yorkshire team, with the race for the Championship title likely to come down to the final game of the 2024/25 season.
Pascal Struijk brings Leeds United supporters together in crucial times
Taking to Instagram [2 April], Struijk wrote: “A few more finals… Let’s do this together,” finished with a white heart emoji as the Whites fall behind the Blades at the top of the table.
The Dutchman received support as Firpo, who could be in his final season at Leeds, liked the post, with the player now having entered into the final two months of his current deal at Elland Road.
Firpo has become a fan favourite over the past couple of seasons while notching three goals and 16 assists in 52 league matches, despite a difficult start to life at Elland Road, but that might not be enough for the club to award him with a new contract.
Daniel Farke needs Leeds United players to come together
Football Insider verdict
Farke is in serious danger of missing out on promotion to the Premier League for a second consecutive season, so the manager needs his biggest stars to step up right now.
Just one win in their last five matches has seen Chris Wilder‘s side sneak to the top of the Championship table, with Scott Parker’s team now level on points with the Whites.
Wilfried Gnonto thought he had stolen all three points for Leeds against Swansea, only for Illan Meslier to go from hero to zero, messing up for both of the opposition’s goals in another frustrating draw.
| Championship standings | Points | Form |
| 1. Sheffield United | 83 | WWDWW |
| 2. Leeds United | 81 | DLWDD |
| 3. Burnley | 81 | WWDWW |
Missing out on promotion last season saw Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville all leave Elland Road last season, and with just one season of parachute payments left, they cannot allow a repeat.
Joel Piroe, Dan James, Jayden Bogle and Ao Tanaka would all likely be linked with Leeds exits, and with Joe Rothwell and Manor Solomon wanting to play in the Premier League, it would be difficult to sign them permanently.
A lot is riding on Leeds’ end-of-season run-in, and with clashes against Middlesbrough and Bristol City remaining, it could come right down to the wire.