Leeds United star on changing words to his chant and the February response needed from Whites squad
Leeds United’s match against Cardiff City at Elland Road begins a difficult month of games in which players must “show up,” according to a senior star.
Junior Firpo has returned to battle for a spot in Daniel Farke’s team as the season moves closer to the final stretch for promotion. The left-back, who had been a constant in the first 11 games of the season, had an injury that affected his rhythm after being suspended. Sam Byram has subsequently taken up the role and managed the demanding job effectively enough to keep Firpo healthy.
Although it’s not an easy effort, Firpo hopes to get back into the groove of things after 2024 delivered more regular football than the previous few years.
“I was pretty happy with the achievement of being able to play consistently during the full year, plus travelling a lot of long distances to play for my country, playing in different conditions and a lot of things that I did over 2024,” he said in the club’s matchday program.This was simply a little injury that happened at the worst moment because, you know, we play a lot of games around the Christmas season. You obviously enjoy playing every game as a player, but that was not feasible. I believe my body
needed the rest. Now that I’m feeling better, all I’m doing is attempting to rejoin the team. The squad is clearly doing very well, and it’s hard to get into every position because of the competition. It’s not that simple for anyone to enter the starting lineup.
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, Farke’s team news will be revealed; but, whoever is selected for the starting lineup will be aware that nothing is assured for the remainder of the month. Firpo understands how crucial this month could be and that the Whites will have chances to advance in the title chase in games against Sheffield United and Sunderland.
“I think February is a tough month for us,” he said. “We have some really important games coming up. When the pressure comes, it’s where we as players have to show up. It’s really good that we have everyone available, more or less, and that there is competition in every position so no one can relax, no one can fall asleep, and people are ready to do our best to win those points.”Whether or not he finds himself involved from the start there’s a good chance Firpo will hear his name from the stands. Whites supporters have taken to singing a pair of songs about him and though neither are particularly child-friendly, they delight the defender’s kids as much as him.
“Our fanbase is special in every sense, every possible sense, but when you have them on your side, it’s really good and they really help a lot,” he explained. The past three years have been incredible, in my opinion, and playing and fighting for them has greatly aided me. I have to alter some of the lyrics for my children, if you understand, even though I know they sing it more than I do when I hear my name called from the stage.”
The members of our fan base are unique in every way, but when you have them on your
side, it’s really good and they really help a lot,” he said. “I have felt that the last few years has been amazing and it helped me a lot, also to play and to fight for them. And when I hear my name from the stand, I know my kids love it more than me because they sing it, but I have to change some of the words for them, if you know what I mean.” “Our fanbase is special in every sense, every possible sense, but when you have them on your side, it’s really good and they really help a lot,” he said. “I have felt that the last few years has
been amazing and it helped me a lot, also to play and to fight for them. And when I hear my name from the stand, I know my kids love it more than me because they sing it, but I have to change some of the words for them, if you know what I mean.”
