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No matter which division, Leeds United must replace 26-year-old “liability” with one of these signings – View

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Leeds United were without Junior Firpo for their penultimate game of the season today, and it’s further proof that they need to part ways with the left-back and replace him in the summer.

Leeds’ Premier League status is something that has been up in the air for some time and the defence has needed improvements ever since promotion – which haven’t come.

Victor Orta tried and failed to improve on Gjanni Alioski with the signing of Junior Firpo for £13million from Barcelona, but the left-back has not shown his best at Leeds apart from a brief solid run of form earlier in 2023.

Relegation or survival, it doesn’t really matter for Leeds, they need to replace Firpo with someone far less of a liability, after he sat out today’s game against West Ham with a one-match ban after a calamitous performance against Newcastle.

Here, we look at two players Leeds should be looking to sign this summer to replace Firpo…

Survival – Milos Kerkez

If Leeds do manage to stay in the Premier League, the ambitious has to be there to make a long-term addition that adds real quality with and without possession.

AZ Alkmaar’s performance over the last few seasons has been eye-catching to say the least, with left-back Milos Kerkez impressing.

The left-back has five goals and eight assists to his name this season in all competitions despite being just 19-years-old.

He possesses real power down the left channel and is already a senior international for Hungary – a player that Leeds were keen on back in January.

In Kerkez, Leeds would be a getting a European-quality left-back that is only going to get better with age.

Will Leeds stay up?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Relegation – Lewis Hall

Dropping into the Championship will see Leeds need to overhaul their squad, and with that, they might need to be looking into the loan market for signings.

A Chelsea left-back (Ian Maatsen) went to Burnley on loan for this season and took to the Championship like a duck to water.

In Hall, Leeds would be getting a raw teenager who is close to becoming a regular presence at Stamford Bridge, but will struggle if they continue investing as expected.

Most of his playing time this season has come in the PL2, and he needs a full season of senior football to continue developing.

Should Leeds need a host of new signings as expected, Hall could be a good shout as a loan to help at left-back.

The big updated Junior Firpo quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 20/20?

1 of 20

Who did Firpo start his senior career with?

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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.