---
title: "Barcelona: Fans defend Junior Firpo after Ernesto Valverde’s recent comments"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/barcelona-fans-defend-junior-firpo-after-ernesto-valverdes-recent-comments/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Callum Pragnell"
section: "La Liga News"
published: "2019-11-08T21:45:18Z"
modified: "2019-11-08T21:45:18Z"
---

# Barcelona: Fans defend Junior Firpo after Ernesto Valverde’s recent comments

**Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has said that he wants to see defender Junior Firpo take “more risks”.**

Firpo has seen game-time at the Camp Nou limited this season, starting just [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/junior-firpo/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/374139/plus/0?saison=2019&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) league games, but could well see an increase in minutes due to the recent hamstring injury to first-choice left-back Jordi Alba.

\[freshpress-poll id=”255364″\]

However, according to [Marca](https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/11/07/5dc4263ce2704eae888b45cf.html), Valverde wants to see the 23-year-old demonstrate the same form as he did for Real Betis last season; the very form that earned him a [£16m move](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/junior-firpo/profil/spieler/374139) to the Nou Camp during the summer.

Apparently Firpo is too [overly cautious](https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/11/07/5dc4263ce2704eae888b45cf.html) in training, scared to make a mistake and risks “[next to nothing](https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/11/07/5dc4263ce2704eae888b45cf.html)“.

The Spaniard did not help himself on his debut, either. He made a costly mistake in the opening stages of the contest against Granada – a match the Blaugrana ended up [losing 2-0](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/junior-firpo/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/374139/plus/0?saison=2019&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) – resulting in Barcelona conceding the opener, which led to his substitution at half-time.

Since that game, Firpo has featured just [twice](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/junior-firpo/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/374139/plus/0?saison=2019&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) for the Spanish champions. Barca fans have been quick to defend the 23-year-old, though; here’s what some had to say in response to Valverde’s recent comments:

> When you get dropped for 1 month or 2 months (Malcom, Alena, Firpo…) for no reason or small mistake how can he be making risks?
>
> — evija87 (@evija87) [November 8, 2019](https://twitter.com/evija87/status/1192665278640992256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> How can he see that if he’s not playing [pic.twitter.com/Nc5bG6RhKa](https://t.co/Nc5bG6RhKa)
>
> — 3plem – Trini Barcafan (@3plem1) [November 8, 2019](https://twitter.com/3plem1/status/1192664840835358720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He should play they have to use him because they bought him to replace Alba in the future
>
> — CJM (@Carlo34192851) [November 8, 2019](https://twitter.com/Carlo34192851/status/1192661986426998784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> No matter what… Only injuries to Alba will give him a chance… His debut was not funny.. But subbing him at halftime after a mistake is even more disastrous.. Kills confidence and morals… Another big obstacle is Messi likeness for Alba
>
> — IStandWithBaba’s#NextLevel (@moj968) [November 8, 2019](https://twitter.com/moj968/status/1192682374758318080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> 😂 😂 😂\
> More daring what now 🤣
>
> He wants Firpo to join the Army? I mean he’s not picking him even when Alba is injured…
>
> — Some Guy (@ReadyToBottle) [November 8, 2019](https://twitter.com/ReadyToBottle/status/1192744676886859776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> playing him would be a good start
>
> — Cameron (@fcbcam\_) [November 8, 2019](https://twitter.com/fcbcam_/status/1192661122278514688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Barca fans, what do you make of Valverde’s comments? Let us know below!***