Numerous Leeds United players have made themselves known in their hunt for Championship promotion, playing a starring role under boss Daniel Farke.
Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson returned to Yorkshire ahead of this season, after spending the previous campaign on loan at German side Union Berlin following relegation.
The 24-year-old endured a sensational start to the season, but his progression has halted as of late, registering eight goals and two assists - with only one of those contributions coming this calendar year.
brenden-aaronson-leeds
His latest showing against QPR highlights how dismal he’s been in recent weeks, gifting the ball to the opposition with Koki Saito firing the hosts ahead - ultimately costing the Whites two points.
The American has been unable to fill the void left by one player in the summer, leaving in a big-money transfer after the club failed to secure promotion last season.
Georginio Rutter’s stats for Leeds United
French forward Georginio Rutter moved to Leeds back in January 2022, looking to help the side avoid relegation after his £35m transfer from German side Hoffenheim.
However, he struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, featuring 11 times, failing to score a single goal but did manage to register just a single assist.
georginio-rutter-leeds-united-transfers
The 22-year-old would remain at Elland Road despite dropping into the second tier, a decision that would massively enhance his career and take his game to the next level as a result.
Rutter registered eight goals and 16 assists across all competitions, featuring in the number ten role, but after a failure to secure promotion, he would move to Brighton in a £40m deal last summer.
He was a key part of Farke’s success last season, with Aaronson simply unable to match his levels, but one player has managed to replicate his form in the first team throughout the ongoing campaign.
The player who has become Leeds’ new Rutter
Over the last couple of months, Leeds have endured a superb run of form in the Championship, losing just once since the start of November, with their only defeat coming against Portsmouth a few weeks ago.
The likes of Ao Tanaka, Pascal Struijk and Joe Rothwell have all played vital parts in various outings, resulting in the trio nailing down first-team places under Farke.
joel-piroe-championship-leeds
However, forward Joel Piroe has also managed to be a key figure in recent times, cementing his place in recent weeks as the club’s number-one talisman.
The Dutchman, who's previously been labelled "sensational" by journalist Beren Cross, joined the Whites for a fee in the region of £10m back in the summer of 2023, looking to provide the firepower needed for an immediate top-flight return.
However, during the early months of his spell in Yorkshire, the fanbase were divided whether he was better suited to the number ten role or as a centre forward - suffering the same fate as Rutter when he moved to the club.
The 25-year-old has since settled into his role, netting 15 times in 2024/25, currently sitting as the second top goalscorer in the entire division, with only Norwich City’s Borja Sainz scoring more.
joel-piroe
Piroe has stepped up to the plate this campaign after Rutter’s departure, with many of his figures from this season similar to those of the Frenchman during his final year at Elland Road.
He’s already registered more goals than the former Whites star with eight games to go, highlighting the impact he’s had for the Whites in forward areas over the last few months.
How Piroe compares to Rutter for their time at Leeds
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals scored
Shots taken
Pass accuracy
Shots on target
Possession won in final third
Times dispossessed
Stats via FotMob
The departure of Rutter last summer was a huge blow for the club, especially considering his form in 2023/24, leaving huge question marks over their chances of promotion this time around.
However, Piroe has taken that responsibility at times this year, helping fire the club to the top of the table with just eight games to go, putting them in touching distance of a return to the top flight.
raphinha-leeds-barcelona Related
Their best signing since Raphinha: £45m star wants Leeds move this summer
Leeds United could pick up their best buy since Raphinha with this statement summer purchase.