Junior Firpo has told the new Leeds United coaching staff that he doesn’t think the players deserve to be relegated this season.
The Whites defender was the unexpected goalscoring hero against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Few Leeds fans would have backed Firpo to be first goalscorer but they were delighted to see him score.
Firpo’s right-footed shot squirmed through the Southampton defence and past Gavin Bazunu to send Elland Road wild.
That result took Leeds out of the bottom three and gave new boss Javi Gracia a perfect start.
Firpo has now told the Daily Mail that he has been going through one of the toughest times of his career this term.
From being out of the team to seeing Leeds struggle at the wrong end of the table, Firpo hasn’t exactly enjoyed himself.
The Spaniard added that he has told the new Leeds coaching staff that the dressing room is superb and that the players deserve to stay in the Premier League.
“It’s been one of the toughest times of my career, but I said to the new coaches this is one of the best dressing rooms I’ve ever known and we deserve to be in the Premier League,” said Firpo.
Junior Firpo will look to thrive under Javi Gracia at Leeds United
It’s fair to say that Firpo hasn’t quite lived up to expectations since joining Leeds from Barcelona in the summer of 2021.
The left back was expected to rediscover his Real Betis form but that hasn’t really happened yet.
Still, the Spaniard is now surrounded by his compatriots after Leeds made a managerial change.
Javi Gracia is in as the new Leeds boss whilst Zigor Aranalde, Mikel Antia and Juan Jose Solla have all joined Gracia’s staff.
Firpo will find it easy to communicate with all four, as seen with this message about the Leeds dressing room.
That has to give Firpo a little confidence boost, as should the goal against Southampton.
Hopefully this means Firpo will find some consistent form at Leeds and play a key role in their push for survival.
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