Given that Daniel Farke’s team does not yet know which division they will play in next season, it is not surprising that there are a lot of players at Leeds United who are currently under intense doubt.
With a victory on Thursday that was nearly as easy as their 4-0 thumping of Charlton on the last day of the 2019–20 season or their 5-0 triumph at West Brom the following year, Leeds has secured their spot in the Championship play-off final.
There were several noteworthy performances in the 4-0 victory over Norwich. Joe Rodon was enormous in the back, while Joel Piroe is possibly the best Leeds has ever had.
However, Junior Firpo also recorded his eighth assist of 2024 in this match. The left-back skillfully set up Crysencio Summerville when many would have been inclined to shoot at Angus Gunn.
Junior Firpo is posing a little problem for Leeds.
The 27-year-old Firpo hasn’t exactly had the best season in the Premier League, so his play, especially in the last third, has surprised some. Additionally, he missed most of the first half of this season due to injuries.
Given that Firpo’s contract at Elland Road is slated to expire at the conclusion of the following season, it was therefore not surprising that Leeds had not started contract negotiations with him.
Together with Leeds United teammates Junior Firpo and Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville celebrates his team’s fourth goal.
Selling Firpo this summer if promoted seems like the best course of action in some ways, as he can depart Leeds with a degree of heroism following such a stormy period.
However, the assurance with which he is playing currently may spark discussion about whether Leeds ought to make a slight about-face and talk about a new deal with the £13 million former Barcelona player.
There is unresolved business for Defender at Elland Road.
Naturally, it’s crucial to maintain moderation. Just a few weeks prior, on the last day of the regular season, Firpo committed a major error that resulted in Southampton’s victory over Leeds.
And if the Whites do make it back to the top table of English football the following season, then there will undoubtedly be a cloud over him.
But with Charlie Taylor’s departure, Leeds has struggled mightily at left-back, so this season’s eight assists from that position felt like a huge step in the right direction.
Leeds shouldn’t necessarily spend a lot of money to keep Firpo, and giving him a long-term contract would be risky, but maybe the team can consider trying to extend his contract by one or two more years.
