Carlton Palmer has confirmed that Leeds United could lose Junior Firpo this summer due to injury concerns.
The left-back has been a regular for Daniel Farke’s side this season, with five assists in 17 games, but he has battled multiple injuries over the season.
Phil Hay recently stated that he is unlikely to be offered a new contract and might be sold in the summer, and while speaking with Football League World (15 March), Palmer admitted that he understood but advised the Whites not to panic and to wait until the end of the season before making a decision.
“I can see why people are talking about not renewing his contract, he has struggled with injuries and that is a problem,” he told reporters. “Obviously, you don’t want to start the new season with a player who is frequently out.
“He’s enjoying a fantastic season this year, with five assists in 17 games, which is incredible for a left defender. However, I don’t believe Daniel Farke will be in a hurry to make a choice, and they need to win promotion first before assessing the issue.
“They may sit down with the player and decide it is best for him to leave in the summer so they can go out and bolster that left-back position if he does not believe Firpo is capable of making it in the Premier League.
“However, there is no need to panic at the present. Leeds United do not want to enter the Premier League with the expectation that the left-back will miss part of the season, so that is a consideration. I don’t think it’s an issue right now, because he still has a year left on his contract.”
Leeds United must demonstrate patience.
The summer transfer window at Elland Road will be extremely busy, with key choices to be made by those in charge.
If the club returns to the Premier League, it will need to strengthen its roster to ensure that it has enough experience and skill to compete without becoming a yo-yo club.
However, if the team remains in the Championship, all attention will be focused on keeping everyone together, which may result in present plans being modified out of necessity.
Junior Firpo has been playing his best football in a Leeds United shirt since coming at Elland Road.
Firpo has previously played well in the Championship but struggled in the Premier League, and given his injury record and contract predicament, it is understandable that the club is looking to move him on.
However, the degree of replacement they can obtain will be determined by which league they play in, so a choice should not be rushed.
