Junior Firpo can be ‘big player’ at Leeds United, insists Jesse Marsch - The Athletic 19/10/22
By Phil Hay
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch insists Junior Firpo can become a
“big player” at Elland Road, despite his recent injury problems.
The left-back has featured just once so far this season
after being hampered by a knee issue but is set to start at Leicester on
Thursday with Pascal Struijk sidelined with what Marsch has described as a “minor
injury”.
Firpo has struggled for consistent form and fitness since
arriving from Barcelona last summer but Marsch insists he can yet develop into
a standout performer on a regular basis and said he was “excited” about his
return.
“I’ve heard criticism of Junior from the past or whatever,”
Marsch said.
“I can only tell you that since I’ve been here, he has in
every way tried to adapt and learn and grow into the player I believe he can
be. For me, his technical ability and passing ability is one of the best in the
team. His athleticism is definitely on the high end of our team. His
intelligence is very high. His tactical awareness is also very keen.
“If he can continue to add the right kind of aggressiveness,
then he can grow into a real defender and be a real two-way player — especially
at left-back; there aren’t a lot of players like that out in the world.
“I believe he can be a big player here, no doubt, he has
everything he needs and his commitment to do that is at a high level even at a
moment where Pascal has been playing and it’s not easy for him to accept being
on the bench.
“But he’ll be ready for tomorrow, I’m 100 per cent sure of
it. I’m excited for him to be on the pitch.”
Leeds go into Thursday’s game without a Premier League win
since August, having scored just five league goals since.
Patrick Bamford has not yet found the target in seven
top-flight appearances this term but Marsch also gave backing to the striker as
seeks to rediscover his goalscoring touch.
“I’m challenging Patrick to continue to grow into the type
of striker we need and I’ve said for a couple of weeks that we think he’s a big
part of the solution,” Marsch said.
“My experience of being around strikers is that if they’re
not getting chances, it’s much more concerning than if they’re getting chances
and not scoring. He’s getting chances in bunches and his talent is so high that
it’s only a matter of time before those start to go his way.
“When they do, we could start to see a total change of
momentum in him and us. We have to let him know that it’s close. We believe
that and he believes that.”
