Joel Piroe could well be the main man up top for Leeds United next season. In what will be his first season in the Premier League, he’ll need all the help he can get.
Leeds United have been promoted to the Premier League now and Joel Piroe will have the task of firing the Whites to safety next season, along with whichever strikers Daniel Farke manages to sign this summer.
Piroe proved a divisive figure at times for Leeds United last season. At times, he looked like one of the best finishers in England, and other times he barely contributed to games.
In the end, Piroe won the Championship Golden Boot with 19 goals in 46 league games last season. The Dutchman won the award after scoring four goals in Leeds United’s 6-0 win over Stoke City during the run-in.
After what was a mixed season at times for Piroe, and given the fact that he lacks any Premier League experience, there will certainly be reservations among fans about how well he can cope next season.
But there’s good news for Piroe and for the fans with Leeds United now eyeing up a deal for Jack Rudoni.
Photo by Kevin Hodgson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Kevin Hodgson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Leeds United are interested in signing Jack Rudoni
Farke’s Leeds were formidable last season and there’s every reason to believe that Farke will implement the same shape and style next season, albeit with a bit more star quality in the side. One position that desperately needs a bit more of that quality is the no.10 position.
Brenden Aaronson was another who proved divisive last season. He scored nine goals and played in every Championship game for the Whites, but only managed two assists. Now though, Farke could upgrade Aaronson with a move for Coventry City man Rudoni.
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Leeds United have been linked with Rudoni who scored 10 goals and assisted 12 more in 45 total league games for the Sky Blues last season. Ahead of the summer, Leeds United have been urged to upgrade Aaronson and Rudoni would certainly be that. For Piroe, it could mean having a much more creative no.10 in behind him.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Brenden Aaronson’s 24/25 stats vs Jack Rudoni’s, it’s clear who’s better
Aaronson got his share of goals last season but in such a pivotal position on the pitch, especially in the set up Farke likes to play, Leeds United really need someone with a lot more to their game.
Rudoni not only has the goals but the assists. Signing someone like him for the Premier League, whilst there’s no guarantee he shines in the top flight, would give Leeds that bit of extra quality in the no.10 position and it could also bring a lot more out of Piroe, who at times last season was really isolated up top.
Stat (league) Aaronson in 24/25 Rudoni in 24/25
Expected assists 6.05 8.53
Touches PG 43.5 58.3
Big chances created 9 16
Key passes PG 1.6 1.8
Accurate passes PG 21.9 28.4
Pass % 83 81
Passes in opp. half PG 16.4 21.6
And going off of Aaronson’s stats for Leeds United in 2024/25 compared to Rudoni’s, it’s clear that the latter is the much more creative player, out-scoring Aaronson in several key stats, one being the amount of passes he makes in the opposition half.
Doing so in a Coventry City side that weren’t great in the first half of the campaign, and who were never as dominant as Leeds United in attack, suggests that Rudoni could really flourish for the Whites.
Again though, the Premier League will be a different ball game for Rudoni and indeed Piroe and many others in the side.