Leeds United may have been freed up to release Patrick Bamford after surprise developments during the international break, suggested a joking Adam Pope.
The BBC journalist reacted on Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet on 9 September after left-back Junior Firpo’s unexpected turn as a forward for the Dominican Republic on international duty.
The Whites were reportedly looking to sell both players during the transfer window [Daily Mail, 1 July], while a late striker signing was expected before the deadline [Daily Mail, 24 August] which did not materialise, but in a lighthearted exchange it has been suggested the solution is already in-house.
Reacting to Firpo’s start as a number nine Jonny Buchan said (4m 55s): “We’ve seen him finish, we’ve seen his attacking prowess, when he went on that spate of assists last season. In some ways he’s better suited to being up that end of the field.”
Simon Rix responded: “Amazing, yeah, so we can sell Bamford. He’s the back-up striker we all knew we needed.”
Pope added: “Just cancel his contract, he can go on a free if Firpo’s that good.”
Junior Firpo a Leeds United forward after Dominican Republic role?
Firpo’s rejuvenation at Elland Road over the past year has been almost as drastic as Bamford’s fall from grace over the past few seasons, with the full-back developing into a cult hero for the fans.
His major struggles in the Premier League after arriving from Barcelona have given way to far more impressive performances as a Championship operator, with assists a key part of his game.
He registered another while again playing in an attacking role against Dominica [Joe Donnohue, 10 September] to suggest he could be used as an emergency option by Daniel Farke if injuries strike in West Yorkshire.
Unfortunately for Bamford it has been fitness turmoil that has contributed heavily to him increasingly dividing opinion among the fanbase, and a further lay off this term ended any slim chances of a transfer exit ahead of the deadline.
Although the Englishman contributed a vital run of goals as a starter at the start of 2024 the past few years have largely been characterised by injury absences, and an obvious desperation to make up for lost time when he has been available.
Too often the pressure he’s put on himself to contribute has helped lead to mistakes such as missed penalties which have ultimately only made matters worse, but Leeds have arguably still never replaced him as a true number nine.
Mateo Joseph’s emergence may yet address that, but neither he nor last summer’s signing Joel Piroe are like-for-like replacements.
Clearly neither is Firpo, but if the recruitment department saw fit not to sign a new striker this summer, but did finally sign a new left-back in Isaac Schmidt, stranger things have happened at Elland Road than the Dominican Republic international getting a run out in attack under Farke at some point.
Leave a Reply