Daniel Farke says ‘unbelievable’ Leeds United player has turned into a proper leader recently
Thu 19 September 2024 19:30
Danny Bloomer
Daniel Farke has praised a member of his Leeds United squad for how he has stepped up since the departures of the likes of Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas.
The last 12 months have represented the start of a new era at Elland Road as so many of the long-serving players from even before the Marcelo Bielsa reign moved on.
Cooper, Dallas and Luke Ayling were all hugely respected senior figures at Leeds and so to lose them all within a matter of months has forced others to step up.
Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk and Illan Meslier have all been promoted into Leeds’ leadership group on a full-time basis, though age-wise, they are still pretty inexperienced.
That trio are all aged 25 or under and so will no doubt have been leaning on some of the more senior members of the dressing room for advice.
READ MORE: Daniel Farke says ‘excellent’ Leeds United player could now miss trip to Cardiff with back injury
Junior Firpo of Leeds United is challenged by Bashir Humphreys of Burnley during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United FC and Burnley…
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Farke praises Junior Firpo for Leeds leadership role
Of those who play regularly, Sam Byram, Junior Firpo and Patrick Bamford are the most experienced faces in Farke’s squad.
All three know the club very well, with Bamford now into his seventh season, Firpo his fourth, and Byram a product of the academy who is now here for a second spell.
Speaking in his pre-Cardiff City press conference, it is the emergence of Firpo as a leader that Farke referenced after questions regarding his contract situation.
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This time last year, no one could have foreseen how important the ‘unbelievable‘ Firpo would become after a really tough first two seasons at Leeds, and yet more time out injured.
However, Farke says Firpo has now become a vital face in Leeds’ dressing room and it is something likely to be taken into consideration over a potential new deal.
He said: “If I’m honest I haven’t thought about this scenario so far because it was such a difficult summer for other things. You know how much I rate Junior [Firpo] and Sam [Byram] and how important they are for us.
“Junior played a really good game against Burnley, after long travel, improved defensive skill and turning into a leader. Great will to improve further.”
READ MORE: Daniel Farke makes Zinedine Zidane comparison about Leeds player after what he did vs Burnley
Firpo doubtful for Leeds vs Cardiff
Farke delivered a pretty large update on the injury front ahead of this weekend’s trip to Cardiff and Firpo is among those who is doubtful.
Firpo, Joe Rodon, Manor Solomon, Joe Rothwell, Max Wober and Patrick Bamford were all mentioned by the Leeds boss.
He said: “We had a few little knocks and hits and problems during this week. Rodon missed two training sessions due to some glute problems. Junior Firpo was struggling a bit with his MCL, Manor Solomon with some back problems.
“Joe Rothwell rolled his ankle, a few concerns but I’m carefully optimistic all of them will be available. Biggest question mark is Solomon. Wober back in training today, just a light session, we wait to see his body reacts. Patrick Bamford back in team training since last Tuesday.”
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