For Leeds United, there might be some difficult decisions to make on certain players come the summer – certain players who might not have what it takes to cut it in the Premier League.
Although Leeds United are slipping up ever so slightly in the race for Championship promotion, the general consensus is that they get over the line this season, by hook or by crook.
Daniel Farke’s job largely depends on it. Leeds United lost the Championship play-off final last season but he was given another chance, and on the whole it remains a very positive season with Leeds in joint 1st, albeit only two points ahead of Burnley in 3rd now.
Come the summer time, with Leeds having cashed in on some big money sales last summer and then possibly boasting the newfound wealth of Premier League status, we could see some big money signings arrive at Elland Road.
Already, Leeds United are being linked with Tammy Abraham who could cost £20million, and Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher who’d cost the same, perhaps signalling Leeds’ intent to sign Premier League quality in the event of promotion.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Leeds United may have difficult Joel Piroe decision to make this summer
One player who’s currently unproven in the Premier League is Joel Piroe. Though he’s certainly proven in the Championship with 69 goals in 171 total Championship appearances, including 15 in 38 this time round making him the second-highest scorer in the league right now.
But despite his prolific record, and despite Piroe having scored some vital and impressive goals this season, the jury remains very much out on the Dutchman who Leeds paid Swansea City more than £10million to sign in 2023.
Farke himself has admitted that Piroe is slow. And Leeds United fans are often critical of Piroe‘s performances with the 25-year-old wasteful, and often lacking any more to his game other than finishing, though that is a trait he excels in.
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Despite being the league’s second top scorer, Piroe ranks seventh for goals-per-90, twelfth for xG-per-90, then ranking fifth for shot conversion (27.45%).
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Joel Piroe hints at future Leeds United exit
When he joined, Piroe signed a four-year contract, meaning he has another two full years left on his Elland Road deal.
And speaking recently, Piroe said he was open to returning to PSV one day, suggesting that that might be his future goal.
For Leeds, these are the kinds of difficult decisions they’ll have to make in the summer. Farke will absolutely, 100% need new strikers in the summer regardless of Piroe, but do they cash in on Piroe whilst his stock is high?
He’s been hit and miss in the Championship, very much helped by quality attacking players around him: many Leeds fans might agree right now that Piroe would fail to cut it in the Premier League.
If a possible move comes about in the summer and Leeds can make a profit, or make their money back, then it might make sense to thank Piroe for his help in the Championship, and move on to bigger and better.