There will be plenty of names at Leeds United looking to prove themselves in the Premier League next season. Perhaps none more so than Joel Piroe.
Leeds United will have all the odds stacked against them in the Premier League next season. The last six promoted teams have all come straight back down, even in spite of much spending, as the gulf between Championship and Premier League becomes almost insurmountable.
It’s a huge season for the players and for Daniel Farke, too. Farke’s Premier League record with Norwich City doesn’t put him in good stead ahead of next season, though things are different with Leeds this time round, with much more money to spend and much more quality already in his side.
But much of that quality has yet to be really tried and tested in the Premier League. And many of those who have played in the top flight haven’t exactly proven themselves as Premier League players.
There’s everything to play for next season. And for striker Joel Piroe, it’s a great chance to silence his forever sceptics.
Leeds United striker Joel Piroe during a game against Bristol City.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Joel Piroe determined to prove himself in the Premier League with Leeds United
Leeds United signed Piroe in a £10million deal from Swansea City in the summer of 2023. In two seasons he’s scored 33 total Championship goals for the club, winning the Golden Boot in the 2024/25 season with 19 goals to his name in the league. Yet many fans have been critical of Piroe ever since he arrived at Elland Road.
And that scepticism isn’t entirely unfounded. There’s been games and spells where Piroe hasn’t looked anywhere near good enough, so the next season in the Premier League will certainly be an uphill task for the 25-year-old, but one that he’s determined to come out on top in.
Speaking with Dutch outlet Voetbalzone, Piroe spoke about his recognition in his native Holland whilst playing in the Championship, adding that fans, pundits and so on won’t be able to ‘ignore’ him if he performs in the Premier League next season.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Piroe said: “That is of course a great honour and always nice to hear. For me, the priority is still club football at the moment and international football would be a bonus. I don’t want to say too much about whether I think it’s right or wrong that my name is mentioned more now.
“When you play in the Championship, you know that you’re not looked at as much. But of course it’s nice to hear that you’re not forgotten. I think that if I show myself in the Premier League, they can’t ignore me anymore.”
Why the Premier League might be a better fit for Joel Piroe
There’s certainly a thing where some strikers are just better in the Premier League than the Championship. Patrick Bamford for example.
Bamford says he’s better-suited to the Premier League, and he’s certainly got a good record in the top flight scoring 17 goals in the 2020/21 season alone. Next season, as Leeds’ style of play changes, Piroe could be another who benefits from it.
Leeds dominated teams in the Championship last season. Fans often criticised Piroe who looked a bit lost at times, but when his whole team is in the opposition half, and all the defenders are camped back, it’s inevitably going to be tough to make anything happen.
Next season it’ll likely be the opposite. Leeds United might rely more so on counter-attacks with the pace of Dan James and potentially Manor Solomon, and if Piroe can keep up with them then he could have a lot of easy finishes in front of goal next season.
He’s certainly determined, and like he says, if he performs then people won’t be able to ignore him anymore.