“Leeds Player: “Farke’s Departure Was a Bitter Pill to Swallow”

Leeds United’s squad now looks well-balanced and with enough quality to get promotion this season, even if it is without the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray.

The Whites eventually did what was needed in the transfer window and brought in some exciting players to replace those that have gone. But there are still question marks regarding a couple of Leeds stars.

Joe Gelhardt might have gone on loan, Max Wober’s future remains a doubt as he sits on the bench at Elland Road and left-back Junior Firpo has now entered the final 12 months of his contract in Yorkshire.

Firpo played as a striker on Saturday for The Dominican Republic. The left-back lined-up in the middle of a 4-3-3, as The Dominican Republic beat Bermuda 3-2 with 10 men in their first Nations League game.

Firpo opens up on Leeds decision to block Olympics call-up

During the second half of last season, Firpo played for The Dominican Republic and was hopeful that he could be a part of his nation’s Olympics squad in Paris. But Leeds and Daniel Farke blocked that call-up.

At the time, Firpo posted a message on Instagram admitting his regret but respecting Leeds’ wishes. Now, he has said it was a “hard” pill to swallow when talking to Dominican newspaper Acento earlier this week.

Firpo told Acento on Friday: “It was something hard, I tried until the last day, but they told me that, being an important player, one of the leaders and captains, they needed me at the beginning of the preseason.

“Because the clubs close their business in the preseason and I was one of the claims, I was transmitting to them that for me it was going to be something unique, but it was not possible,” Firpo continued.

Firpo redemption arch is underrated as he shines for Leeds

Last Saturday, Firpo laid on his ninth assist for Leeds in the Championship since the start of 2024. No other player has produced as many assists as Firpo in that time, an incredible stat for a defender.

The former Barcelona man is finally producing his best form for Leeds after two difficult seasons initially at Leeds. Even the start of last season was tricky for Firpo, with injury preventing him from playing.

But now, he is back to his best and a key asset for Leeds moving forward. So much so that the signing of Isaac Schmidt is placing pressure on Jayden Bogle, but not the position of Firpo in the starting line-up.