Report: Leeds Might Miss Two Players at the Start of the 2024-25 Season Due to International Duty
Leeds United’s Junior Firpo and Mateo Joseph might miss the start of the next season due to their potential participation in the Olympic Games, reports Beren Cross from Leeds Live. On June 4, Cross indicated that Firpo is “likely” to play for the Dominican Republic this summer, while Joseph’s involvement with Spain is “a possibility”.
The Olympics group stage begins on July 24, with the final scheduled for August 9, just a day before the 2024-25 Championship season starts. Even if the players do not progress to the final, they would likely need a rest period before returning.
The impact of Firpo’s absence on Leeds’ start to the 2024-25 Championship season will depend on their summer transfer activities. Head coach Daniel Farke’s other left-back option, Sam Byram, is out of contract this summer. The club has not yet decided whether to offer the 30-year-old a new deal. If Byram is released, securing a new left-back becomes urgent. Even if Byram stays, his injury history might necessitate bringing in another player for that position.
Joseph’s potential absence is less concerning since the 20-year-old is not a regular starter. His participation in the Olympics could affect his chances of making an early impression on the first team and catching the manager’s attention during pre-season.
