'I came here for one thing' - Leeds United new boy Junior Firpo hungry for Premier League involvement - YEP 3/8/21
Junior Firpo says he is hungry for regular game time with Leeds United in the Premier League.
By Joe Urquhart
The Whites announced the capture of the former Barcelona
full-back last month for around £13m plus add ons and handed their new number
three a four-year contract in LS11.
Firpo had failed to break into the Nou Camp line-up on a
regular basis following his switch from fellow La Liga outfit Real Betis in
2019.
Spain captain Jordi Alba held the starting berth at the
Catalan club, with head coach Ronald Koeman only handing Firpo fleeting minutes
in 18 games across all competitions last term.
United moved swiftly to fill their left-back void after the
departure of Gjanni Alioski this summer, beating away competition from the
likes of Italian side AC Milan to the 24-year-old's signature.
Firpo has featured in two pre-season friendlies under
Marcelo Bielsa so far, completing 45 minutes against both Blackburn Rovers at
Ewood Park and former side Betis at Loughborough University.
He bagged an assist for Patrick Bamford's opener in a 3-2
defeat against Manuel Pellegrini's men last weekend in Leicestershire and is
already eyeing the new top flight term after being frustrated at a lack of game
time in Spain during recent seasons.
Firpo, though, will be aiming for more match action in the
Whites final two summer outings first to get up to speed with his new
team-mates.
Leeds travel to face arch rivals Manchester United on August
14 at Old Trafford to kick off the 2020/21 Premier League campaign - but before
then will take on Dutch giants Ajax tonight in Amsterdam ahead of a final
friendly clash with reigning Europa League champions Villarreal on Saturday
evening.
"I only have to say to them that I will give my
all," Firpo told Sky Sports over what Elland Road supporters can expect
from him in the upcoming year.
"I need to play. I am really, really hungry to play
here [at Leeds].
"They can expect me to give my all in the games and the
rest we can see. I am really hungry to play. I came here for one thing [to
play]. I think they [the club] are also hungry for the way that I can play.
"If you mix both [together], then it'll be really
good."
Firpo has had his first introduction to a Bielsa pre-season
regime this summer following his arrival in July.
Those at Elland Road who are more versed in the Argentine's
ways - namely Bamford, Mateusz Klich and club captain Liam Cooper - have been
vocal in saying it is among the toughest they have faced since the 66-year-old
took charge in West Yorkshire.
Behind closed doors at Thorp Arch there has been a lot of
running and fitness work for the Leeds squad while 'murderball' has been in
full flow.
"I feel good, it's a little bit hard," Firpo said
of the Thorp Arch preparation.
"It's really physical and [we're] doing a lot of
training sessions. It's good. The real thing is my team-mates have given me a
warm welcome. It's made it easy."
