Joel Piroe’s strong pre-season performance versus Villarreal has left Daniel Farke with a difficult question ahead of their Premier League opener.
Despite the arrival of Lukas Nmecha from VfL Wolfsburg, Leeds United’s number 10 has been stating his claim for a starting spot this upcoming season.
Leeds United paid £16m for Joel Piroe back in the summer of 2023, and he had a strong campaign last season in the Championship.
With Leeds’ lack of a traditional number nine striker still being a hot topic of conversation, and their recent headache when it came to missing out on Igor Paixao, who will lead Leeds’ attacking front against Everton?
Joel Piroe playing for Leeds United during friendly.
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Joel Piroe’s pre-season form puts him ahead of Lukas Nmecha
The Leeds United faithful have already backed Joel Piroe to do well in the Premier League, and his pre-season form has left him in good stead to start versus Everton.
Leeds drew 1-1 with Villarreal on Saturday, with Piroe scoring the equaliser in the second half after coming on as a substitute.
His goal, a predatory finish from a Brendan Aaronson cross, cancelled out the visitors’ opener and highlighted his importance to Daniel Farke’s squad compared to Nmecha.
Piroe’s goal had echoes of his performance last season in the Championship, which included 19 goals and seven assists in 46 games. Alongside that, he played three play-off games and scored one goal.
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He is a known striking force for Daniel Farke, who, given the arrival of Nmecha, will be even more determined to put in a stellar display this season.
Lukas Nmecha playing for Leeds United during friendly.
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Lukas Nmecha’s injury history could pave the way for Joel Piroe
Lukas Nmecha’s extensive injury record could be a key factor in Daniel Farke’s decision to start Joel Piroe against Everton.
Nmecha’s recent seasons have been plagued by a series of injuries, including recurring issues with his knee and thigh. This has severely limited his availability and ability to build consistent form.
For a demanding season opener in the Premier League, Farke will want to prioritise a reliable and robust striker and Piroe presents a more durable option.
While Nmecha’s talent is clear, his recent injury record creates a significant risk. Farke will likely choose the player he can trust to stay on the pitch, making the in-form and consistently available Piroe the most logical choice to lead the line.