Daniel Farke’s Leeds United team selection and tactics are coming under the microscope after two successive Premier League losses, including Saturday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Burnley.
Goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna saw Leeds beaten at Turf Moor as Scott Parker got the better of Daniel Farke for a second time in three matches between the two, as Leeds and Burnley bosses.
It is a second loss in a row for Leeds after suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham before the break. Leeds now have eight points from eight games, with Farke’s promising start beginning to dissipate.
Fans are beginning to question Farke’s 4-3-3 system and the players he is using in that system, with Brenden Aaronson starting five games in a row and Pascal Struijk playing a role in the leaky back line.
Daniel Farke at Turf Moor.
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Aidy White discusses Joel Piroe’s future at Elland Road
Fans think Jaka Bijol needs to start, while a change is needed in attack. Joel Piroe came off the bench on Saturday, but the £16m Leeds signing has not started a game for Leeds since the 5-0 loss at Arsenal.
Former Leeds defender Aidy White discussed Piroe’s chances of starting for Leeds on Saturday, after the game and believes Piroe does not fit the current system. He suggests that Piroe could be sold in January.
“On Piroe, you’re not going to use him properly in this shape or formation. When it comes to January, what do you do – do you cash in and go out and use that money? He is an asset. Is he the answer?
“Daniel Farke doesn’t know, he isn’t going down the route to get him involved. Piroe can only be used if he includes another forward, I don’t think he does. Daniel Farke might have to bite the bullet with him.”
Joel Piroe during Leeds United v Everton - Premier League
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Has Joel Piroe been a good signing for Leeds since his arrival?
There are a few players in this Leeds side that have been the subject of more than their fair share of criticism. Aaronson gets a whole heap of criticism and at the moment, Struijk is in the firing line.
But Piroe, across the two and a bit years he has been at Leeds, has also garnered a hefty amount of criticism. Piroe scored 33 goals and laid on 10 assists in his two seasons in the Championship at Leeds.
A total of 19 goals came last season, winning the Championship’s golden boot – albeit, the golden boot is often won with much bigger numbers. At £16m, Piroe was an expensive buy and is yet to prove his fee.
But has he been given a proper chance to prove his worth in the Premier League? White is right, Farke is not going to start Piroe in this system with Calvert-Lewin fit. Lukas Nmecha is probably second choice.
The chances are that come January, if a decent permanent offer arrives for Piroe, a move is likely. With 18 months left on his deal, amortisation means a bid of around £6m would see Leeds break even on the star.