‘First choice’: Jesse Marsch still wants 25-year-old Leeds player starting regularly next season – journalist

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Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch retains faith in Junior Firpo as his first choice left-back for the season ahead.

Speaking on his podcast, Phil Hay said that if Leeds did sign another left-back before the transfer window ended, they would be younger and more cover for Firpo.

Marcelo Bielsa signed Firpo last season and his debut campaign in English football did not go entirely to plan, it must be said.

But Hay says Marsch is backing the former Barcelona man to get it right, despite a pre-season injury he has now picked up.

Marsch has faith in Firpo to make it work at Leeds

Hay said: “I personally think they’ll go for someone a bit younger than a full-on, experienced left-back.

“I still think in Marsch’s head, Junior Firpo is his first choice and Firpo is the player he wants to make work.

“I can see you pulling a face but they haven’t abandoned that one at all.”

Firpo could be sidelined until September, so it is up to Marsch to decide what to do between now and then.

Perhaps whoever he chooses as cover will impress and keep hold of the shirt, but maybe the 25-year-old will be sorely missed.

Firpo would not be the first player to come to England from a different league and struggle in his first season before getting grips to things in his second campaign.

That has to be the hope for Marsch and Leeds, even if the injury complicates matters further, and perhaps Leif Davis could provide the answer.