Daniel Farke already facing Leeds United headache after international issue

Due to international obligations, Daniel Farke, the manager of Needs United, is probably going to be without Junior Firpo when the team travels to Watford on Friday.

Leeds are not in action this weekend as the international break takes centre stage, and with that, there are multiple who have left Thorp Arch to represent their countries.

Junior Firpo is one of them for the first time since joining Leeds, heading out to join the Dominican Republic camp.

Firpo will be competing against time to return for Leeds’ Easter schedule games against Watford and Hull City, as he is traveling across the Atlantic for two matches against Aruba and Peru.

According to Phil Hay of The Athletic, it appears that he will find the Good Friday match at Watford and his away game against Peru on Wednesday to be too soon for him.

On the podcast The Square Ball, he stated this:

“Leeds has the drive and the momentum. Of the three top managers, Farke is most likely the one who is least excited about this break occurring. He seems to understand the need for a break, and I believe Leeds would benefit from having him

breathing, but you don’t actually decide to take a little break when you don’t need it—which Leeds don’t have right now.

“I believe that a lot of players will be playing during it and a lot of guys will be absent, which is why it’s not as helpful as it could be. There won’t be many full training sessions with the team for him. Leeds won’t be able to prepare as much for Watford away, which I don’t believe is a significant disadvantage, but as Farke stated, it’s probably Firpo

With that, Leeds, who were back to winning ways away at Birmingham City, will be without the left-back for a difficult journey to Vicarage Road.

Leeds’ outstanding 2024 performances may be attributed to a variety of variables, but Firpo’s presence on the left wing—he has five assists in just 12 games during the team’s 13-game undefeated streak—has been one of the main advantages in possession.

Although Firpo has been a very dependable free agent for us, Sam Byram will have to start in Firpo’s stead for this game, which is undoubtedly a decrease in possession.

Byram’s right-footedness instantly hinders his ability to provide what Firpo provides when reaching the by-line.