Junior Firpo has been told he has everything he needs to be a dominant player at Leeds United for years to come. That's the message to the Dominican Republic-born left-back from his manager Jesse Marsch, who says he is "excited" to see Firpo back on the pitch tomorrow night when he returns to face Leicester City.
An injury to Pascal Struijk means 26-year-old Firpo will make only his second appearance of the season when starting tomorrow's Premier League match against the basement strugglers. It will be just the 20th start in the league for the ex-Barcelona player since his high-profile arrival from Spain last summer.
A lack of form and a series of injuries have meant it's been a difficult introduction to English football for the former Spain under-21 international, who has yet to convince many supporters he is the long term option for the Whites. One man who doesn't need convincing is Marsch.
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The Leeds head coach admits he has heard some of those criticisms, but has explained exactly why Firpo will brush that aside and has the ability to not only cement his place in this Leeds line-up, but become a player of real note at Elland Road.
"I have heard criticisms of Junior from the past, but since I have been here he has only tried his best to adapt and grow and to be the player I believe he can be," explained Marsch.
"His passing and technical ability is among the best in our team. His athleticism is definitely on the high end of our team. His intelligence is very high. Tactical awareness is also very keen and if he can continue to add the right kind of aggressiveness he can become a real defender and a real two-way player.
"Especially at left-back, there's not a lot of those types of players in the world right now. With Junior, I am trying to help him develop into the big player I believe he can become. He can be a big player here, no doubt. He has everything he needs.
"His commitment to try to do that is at a really high level, even in a moment when Pascal has been playing so well and it's been hard for him to accept just being on the bench. He will be ready tomorrow night, I am 100 per cent sure of it and I am excited for him to be on the pitch."
With Struijk expected to be fit for the visit of Fulham on Sunday, Firpo knows the expectation is on him to ensure he does all he can to keep his place in the side with an impressive display against the Foxes.
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