Pundit hits out at Junior Firpo after Sky’s Leeds United transfer update
Alex McLeish has admitted Junior Firpo needs to up his game this summer in order to have a long-term future at Leeds United.
The former Scotland boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 25-year-old failed to live up to the standards set by Ezgjan Alioski during the 2020/21 campaign.
As reported by Sky Sports (2 June), Leeds could look at signing another left-back this summer after Firpo’s indifferent form during the 2021/22 campaign.
The Whites are also set to be without makeshift left-back Stuart Dallas for much of next term after his serious injury blow.
McLeish admitted Firpo disappointed him during his first season at Elland Road.
He insisted there has got to be a stark improvement from the left-back for there to be a place for him in Jesse Marsch’s plans.
Asked if he thinks Firpo showed enough last season to be a key player for Leeds, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “We saw Firpo, a Barcelona reserve left-back, go to Leeds. You kind of said is he Premier League quality?
“You would like to think there’s more to come from him. It was difficult for him to fit in at first.
“Alioski was converted to the wing-back role and he did a really good job. Obviously, he left. Firpo, recruitment-wise, was meant to come in and take them to another level.
“That didn’t quite happen. I think we’ve still got to see a rise from Firpo.”
Firpo played 27 times for Leeds across all competitions during the 2021/22 campaign.
He suffered several fitness problems that curtailed his season.
In other news, pundit claims Leeds United set for Kalvin Phillips boost after Man City update.