Daniel Farke Elland Road
(Credit: Imago)
MOT Leeds News speaking to Ian Darke
Wed 26 March 2025 18:43, UK
Leeds United know that promotion to the Premier League would enforce a huge squad overhaul.
The Whites have on their books numerous players from the Premier League years who were largely out of their depth at top-flight level, but excel in the Championship.
Some brave decisions will have to be made between Daniel Farke and the board at Elland Road on who stays, who goes, and who comes in. That balance has to be finely struck.
Farke will have some tricky decisions to make if Leeds are promoted (Credit: Imago)
Leeds should expect bids to fly in from Spain for star
Leeds have witnessed some inspired performances from several of their star-studded Championship side this season.
Farke admitted last month (10 February) that his focus remains with the football and that his Leeds players’ contract talks have taken a backseat.
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This incites an issue regarding Junior Firpo, whose deal expires this summer and whose stock has risen courtesy of his superb displays throughout this season when fit.
Firpo has been heavily linked back to La Liga and Real Betis, from whom he first appeared at Elland Road in 2021 via Barcelona.
TV commentator Ian Darke expects bids to arrive with regularity for the attacking left-back, who scored for the Dominican Republic in midweek while on international duty.
“Firpo struggled in the Premier League, and there are two or three of them in that boat. I think there will certainly be offers for Firpo from La Liga,” Darke said.
“It depends on how the rest of this season shapes up whether he stays or goes. I agree with Farke, he doesn’t want to get distracted talking about what may or may not happen in the coming weeks.
“It’s vital Leeds remain focused on the job at hand rather than be roped into discussing contracts and transfers.”
Firpo is on the verge of leaving Leeds (Credit: Imago)
Firpo in the shop window
Leeds fans are often torn on their views on Firpo and whether he should be offered a new contract.
What blurs the lines is of course the uncertainty over which division Leeds will be in the following season, an issue which has occurred every year in recent memory and will for the foreseeable future. The Whites are currently the definition of the margin between the top two English divisions.
Junior Firpo – Leeds United 2024-25
Appearances 25
Starts 24
Goals 3
Assists 9
Clean sheets 13
Yellow cards 7
Red cards 0
(Soccerway) (Championship only)
Firpo has been defined as excellent in the Championship but not defensively adept enough for the Premier League, which is an accurate assessment at present.
It remains to be seen how the saga pans out, and how Leeds’ transfer plans are affected from its eventual conclusion either way.
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