Joel Piroe enjoyed another prolific season in the Championship last time round, picking up the Golden Boot award after scoring 19 times for Leeds United.
Joel Piroe certainly has his critics at Leeds United. But the Dutchman can’t be denied his goals record: 19 last season, 33 Championship goals in two seasons with the Whites, and 74 goals in the last four Championship seasons.
Leeds United paid £10million to sign Piroe from Swansea City in the summer of 2023. He might now have fulfilled that price tag, but Whites fans may make a final judgement on the Dutchman after seeing how he fares in the Premier League next season.
Despite speculation that Piroe could return to the Netherlands this summer, he appears to be gearing up for what will be his first season in the Premier League, and if he can score some goals and help keep Leeds in the league then he’ll become a club hero.
Leeds United striker Joel Piroe during a game against Bristol City.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Leeds United star Joel Piroe compares the Eredivisie with the Championship
Speaking with Dutch outlet Voetbalzone, Piroe has been talking about the differences between the Championship and the Dutch top flight: the Eredivisie. Coming through the ranks at PSV, Piroe went on to make 29 appearances in the Dutch top flight, scoring three before his move to Swansea City back in 2023.
And despite the Eredivisie boasting some quality teams and likewise players, the 25-year-old Piroe thinks Leeds United would be a top four team in the division. He explained: “I personally think so. The competition may be a bit more well-known now, but I feel that the speed and intensity are higher than in the Eredivisie. I think Leeds could definitely compete in the top four.”
Leeds United won the Championship title last season for the fifth time in their history. Their highest-ever Premier League finish was a 3rd place finish in the 1999/00 season, whilst Marcelo Bielsa guided the club to an impressive 9th place finish in 2020/21.
Can Joel Piroe beat Patrick Bamford’s 20/21 Premier League goals tally?
That 2020/21 season saw Patrick Bamford enjoy arguably his best-ever season, scoring 17 goals in 38 Premier League games for the Whites.
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Bamford says he’s better-suited to the Premier League and that could yet prove to be the case with Piroe.
Piroe is strong but not exactly fast. Last season even, Farke rued Piroe’s lack of pace. But few can deny the sheer finishing ability that Piroe boasts and given half a chance, he usually scores.
Stat (league) Piroe in 24/25 Bamford in 20/21
Goals 19 17
Goal conversion % 13 16
Big chances missed 19 21
Minutes-per-goal 163 180
So there’s every chance that Piroe could prove prolific next season. But it largely depends on how Leeds as a team fare.
Already this summer, Leeds United have signed Jaka Bijol and Lukas Nmecha. It’s a strong start to proceedings but Farke needs a few more quality players to even give his Leeds side a chance of survival next season.