Your Leeds United headlines for Thursday, March 16.
Firpo wanted
Fresh reports this morning are claiming several La Liga clubs are monitoring Junior Firpo. The left-back, born in the Dominican Republic but has spent most of his life in Spain, arrived at Leeds from Barcelona in 2021.
Despite plenty of fanfare surrounding his arrival, Firpo has failed to live up to the hype. To his credit, he has been given a recent run in the team and looks better than the player who joined nearly two years ago.
ALSO READ: Leeds United's relegation rivals verdict as 'useless' Southampton and Everton face tough run-in
Football Insider are reporting that “multiple” clubs want Firpo - regardless of whether the Whites stay in the Premier League. The 26-year-old has two years remaining on his current deal.
Adams on future
Southampton striker Che Adams has revealed that he is "happy" at the south coast club but admitted he "will see what happens" when asked about his future at St Mary's amid links with a move to Leeds United.
"I've not actually, I didn't know that," he told Hampshire Live when asked if he has thought about his future with less than 18 months left on his contract. "I am happy to stay here. I have loved every single minute down here. I have got a nice home and we are really settled down here, so we will see what happens.
"That's not in my mind at the moment. I'm just thinking about staying in the Premier League and I know we are going to do that, because of the quality we have and the belief now going into the rest of the season, everyone is really happy here."
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Cresswell praised
Gary Rowett has praised Charlie Cresswell after the Leeds United loanee helped keep Millwall’s Premier League dream alive. His scruffy left-footed strike from a corner early into the second half was originally given as a goal to him, only for Tom Bradshaw to later be credited for the strike that broke the deadlock as the Lions edged past Swansea City 2-1.
Speaking after the Swansea win, Rowett hailed his on-loan centre-back, who is keeping club captain Shaun Hutchinson out of the team. He said: “I think he’s been excellent. To keep Hutchinson out of the team when he’s back fit, he’s done it because he’s worked so hard.
“I spoke to Hutch the other day. I think he’s been a hugely important player for us as captain for the team and for the club but, sometimes, you have to be fair to players. It’s not just about winning games - it’s about being fair to people.
“If they’re playing well, they deserve to stay in the team. That’s what keeping the shirt is all about. Cressy has done that. He’s got a knack for finding the right moment. We’ve seen that in a lot of our defenders.”
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Vieira feeling the heat
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has admitted that he is "feeling the pressure" of the relegation battle as his side sit just four points ahead of Leeds United in the Premier League table.
“When you do well in your first season, people expect you to keep improving but it is not always the case,” the former Arsenal midfielder said. “I think it is important to understand where we are, what we want to achieve and the direction where we wanted to go.
“Of course, it will take time to be consistent and that is why it is important for us, as a club, to remain calm and keep working, keep believing in the players we have in the building.
“I’m feeling the pressure like the other nine managers in the table. This is part of the game. The table doesn’t lie. We need to win games, play in a better way and score goals. I believe we have the quality to improve our game.”
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Kilgallon fear
Matt Kilgallon has claimed that he is worried about his old side's battle against relegation this season due to the fact that just five points separate the bottom nine teams with 12 games to go.
"It is unbelievably tight and it is full of teams that have got really good squads," Kilgallon told BBC Radio Leeds. “That is what is a little bit worrying.
"You look around at West Ham, Everton and you look at their squads, full of international players. Where’s that couple of clubs that come from the Championship that are usually gone by now? That is what is a little bit scary.”
To read more, click here.
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