List Articles

2 Leeds United players to impress under Javi Gracia so far

|
Image for 2 Leeds United players to impress under Javi Gracia so far

Leeds United manager Javi Gracia is certainly getting more of a tune out of his new side as they climbed to 14th in the table before the international break.

As we prepare for a week off from Premier League action this weekend, Leeds find themselves with a lot more of a comfortable position in 14th.

It comes after two wins from his first four Premier League games against Southampton and Wolves, while also picking up a point at home to Brighton too.

There is plenty more work for Gracia to do to keep Leeds afloat in the Premier League this season, but his side’s performances are very encouraging.

Here, we look at two players who we think have impressed under Gracia so far…

Junior Firpo

Perhaps Leeds’ best and most consistent performer in 2023, Junior Firpo has been a revelation since the turn of the new year, and Gracia’s system is getting far more out of him.

No longer playing in an attack-centred, often exposed back four, Firpo is benefitting greatly from having more cover out of possession, while offering a great deal with the ball too.

He scored his first Premier League goal in Gracia’s first in charge, marking a real change in how he and the side will be playing under the Spaniard.

Firpo is now looking like the £13million former Barcelona full-back that we bought back in 2021, and hopefully he remains in consistently good form.

Is Gracia the right manager for Leeds?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Jack Harrison

There are still moments and decisions in Jack Harrison’s games that make you wonder what on Earth he was thinking, but his output has been the biggest concern this season – and has improved drastically in the last four games.

Setting up Firpo for the winner against the Saints, Harrison managed to be amongst the goals again during the draw against Brighton.

An own goal could have ruined his day after setting up Patrick Bamford, but he made amends with a superb curling equaliser to win Leeds a point.

He got his fourth goal involvement in as many games as he fired Leeds into the lead away to Wolves, and his output in the final third has been greatly increased.

You have to point to the managerial approach for this increase, with Harrison playing out wide far more than he did under Jesse Marsch.

The big updated Jack Harrison quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 20/20?

1 of 20

In what year was Harrison born?

Share this article

Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.