29-Year-Old’s Exit From Leeds United Has Not Worked Out: Has The PL Club Suffered Without Him? | OneFootball

Spanish outlet Mucho Deporte recently looked into Real Betis’s ongoing left-back struggles, and the results are pretty grim for Junior Firpo. The report analysed who has, and hasn’t, managed to replace the club’s top former left-backs, Álex Moreno and Juan Miranda. Moreno, now at Girona, logged six goals and 14 assists in 122 matches, averaging a contribution every 6.1 games. Miranda, now with Bologna, was even better, with eight goals and 11 assists in 111 games, which is a 5.84 average. The outlet didn’t sugarcoat it, as no replacement has even come close to those figures.

Former Leeds United man Firpo has managed just two assists in 14 games this season, and the situation makes that look even worse. One came against fourth-tier Torrent CF in the cup, meaning his only La Liga assist happened way back in August. Muscle and hamstring issues have sidelined him three times between October 2025 and February 2026. Even when he’s fit, he isn’t a guaranteed starter. The homecoming that seemed like a sure thing has, so far, delivered almost nothing.

Have Leeds United Suffered Without Him?

PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND – MAY 03: Junior Firpo of Leeds United celebrates with the Sky Bet Championship trophy, after the teams 2-1 victory, which confirmed that the team has won the Sky Bet Championship and promotion to the Premier League following the Sky Bet Championship match between Plymouth Argyle FC and Leeds United FC at Home Park on May 03, 2025 in Plymouth, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

While Firpo has struggled in Spain, Leeds United’s return to the Premier League have been a battle for survival. Currently sitting 15th in the table and just four points above the relegation zone with seven games left, the team have lacked the same attacking flair from the left.

While his departure freed up wages, Leeds United have struggled to replicate his offensive output from the back. The club brought in Gabriel Gudmundsson and relies on veterans like Sam Byram and James Justin, but the squad’s overall win rate has dipped to roughly 22% in the top flight. It feels like a move both parties might regret. Leeds missed a proven attacking outlet during a difficult survival scrap, while Firpo traded a starring role in England for a seat on the bench in Seville.

With a contract until 2028 and his peak years fading, Firpo needs a massive turnaround to avoid this spell ending with a whimper. Come summer, I expect Betis to shop for a new left-back while Firpo fights just to stay in the rotation.