Leeds United seem to have finally solved their issue

After months of rumours, hearsay and speculation, it seems as though Leeds United have now, finally, solidified their left-back position.

First there was Romain Perraud, next there was Javi Galan. Intertwined with the two main candidates were lesser reported targets such as Maxwel Cornet, Nicolas Tagliafico and Benjamin Mendy. Leeds United’s search for a left-back has been ridden with complication. Regardless of their upmost faith in their manager, the frustration amongst fans grew as they neared the season’s start still without reinforcement.

Though entirely capable, Gjanni Alioski and Stuart Dallas have forever been makeshift. Removing his proneness to running offside, Alioski was a natural winger, his defensive ability honed through being continually played just behind his usual position.

As for Dallas, he has made it clear in abundance that he can carry out any task Marcelo Bielsa asks of him. It’s hard to think back to the earlier stages of his career, a winger at Brentford that though in possession of versatility, was rarely ever asked to utilise it.

Dallas frequented the left-back role often this season, playing there whenever Alioski did not. His form at the end of the 2020/21 season in central midfield however provided more than enough evidence that his talents are somewhat wasted when he is deployed so far back. Dallas’ continuous, relentless pressing of opposition defenses combined with his natural attacking ability have made him a true force within his side’s midfield.

There was no doubt that upon the season’s conclusion, left-back would be the first position Leeds would look to strengthen. With Dallas’ ability better used elsewhere, and Alioski’s future in the air even still, Bielsa and Victor Orta will no doubt have been prioritising the arrival of a new number three in West Yorkshire. It seems as though, finally, the Whites have settled on a target. Barcelona’s Junior Firpo.

Firpo first made waves in the world of football for Real Betis, making just over 40 appearances in the two seasons he spent there. So much so, that it would be the fabled Barcelona who came in with an offer for Firpo after the 2018/19 season. The Dominican-born defender joined the Catalonians in a deal that had potential to reach £27.5 million.

Since his move to the Camp Nou, Firpo has struggled to displace the constant that is Jordi Alba in the Barcelona defence. Alba is of a particular calibre that makes him almost impossible to bench, and so Firpo has had to live with his role as second fiddle, playing in a small number of matches compared to the playing time he grew accustomed to with Betis.

This, along with Barca’s apparent financial issues, are no doubt the reasons that have factored into the impending sale of the full-back. Despite reported interest from the likes of AC Milan, Leeds were able to lure the defender into making the move to West Yorkshire, which has served as something of a reminder as to the weight of the name, ‘Leeds United’, and the manager they proudly employ.

Again, Firpo has seen his time on the pitch limited as a Barcelona player, which perhaps detracts a certain level of credibility from his numbers this season. Statistically, over the last year, Firpo has been incredible, but with having played so few games his figures will understandably be quite inflated.

Regardless of his minute restrictions, an immediate point of notice in Firpo’s game is the versatility he possesses, which is obviously an invaluable trait to a Bielsa side. Last season Firpo saw himself play as a left-midfielder and right-back, as well as his natural position.

He is also capable of playing centre-back, which was the position he occupied in Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint Germain in last seasons Champions League. Firpo was able to effectively nullify the danger that is Kylian Mbappe in his time on the pitch in a performance that helped draw focus onto his defensive ability, regardless of his team’s fate.

This is touched upon as, whilst seemingly a solid defender, this isn’t the element of the Spaniard’s game that draws him plaudits. It is Firpo’s attacking talents that are often the sole focus of his praise and why so many feel he will be a good fit for the Bielsa system.

Again, Firpo has struggled for football this season, so instead of looking at a season of scarce minutes, it seems right to delve into the 2018/19 campaign. Stretching back a couple of years, Firpo was having his breakout season for Real Betis. Though the team did utilise his talents in a variety of positions, he predominantly played as a left wing-back with freedom to roam up and down the flank in a three centre-back formation.

Firpo played in 24 league matches out of a possible 38 that year, averaging 81 minutes per game. Whilst his role in a Leeds back four would obviously differ from that of his Betis back five, he will be able to carry some of his best traits over to England, one of them being the fitness that allowed him to play over 80 minutes of each game.

In a report by Josh Hobbs, in which he looks into the defender as a player, he notes that of all Firpo’s attacking abilities, his most potent are “primarily his off-the-ball runs and his ability to put low crosses in”.

Being an asset on the attack as a Leeds full-back is just as crucial as being an asset defensively. As Gjanni Alioski made perfectly clear, you don’t need to be an exceptional defender to flourish in the Leeds set up, but you do need to be able to make an impact in the final third.

With Firpo already accustomed to bombing forward and looking to get the ball into the box, you feel as though it shouldn’t take him a great amount of time to adapt to the way the Whites play. His eagerness to seek a cross will benefit his side as a whole, with a potential left-side of Firpo and Jack Harrison both equally able to deliver the ball into an ideal zone for their talisman, Patrick Bamford.

Whilst a very athletic individual, the lack of game time this season may mean it will take Firpo slightly longer to get up to speed with Leeds’ fitness than it would have done had they been able to purchase him a year or two ago. This isn’t to say he won’t reach Bielsa’s standard, but fans shouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t seen for a few games. Remember, Raphinha only made his full debut about a month and a half after signing.

Firpo standing at 6-feet tall will too be of great reward for Leeds. A side notoriously awkward at defending set-pieces, any additional height in the starting line-up will be of noticeable benefit. His height isn’t wasted either, with Firpo having won 1.5 of his attempted 2.5 aerial duels for Real Betis in his breakout season, whilst also having won 70% of his aerial battles in his most recent Barcelona campaign.

Though he may be regarded as an average, even sub-par, defender, Firpo clearly has an ability that will only be bettered by Bielsa. The signing is something of a risk, but you’d be forgiven for assuming the risk will pay off.
Leeds are not of such grand stature that they can afford to throw astronomical amounts of money at a player. Orta and his team, as they have done for so long, must continue to search for affordable and worth-while solutions.

With Firpo rumoured to be costing Leeds around £13 million (15 million euros), the transfer has clear potential to rank amongst the recent Orta steals, such as Robin Koch, Raphinha and Jack Harrison to name a few.

What is important is that, for the first time ever under Bielsa, Leeds United look set to be playing with an actual left-back. No conversion needed, Firpo already knows his position. What waits to be seen is whether or not the defender can rebound from a disappointing spell at Barca, and if he can return to the heights he was once at if and when he arrives in LS11.

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