Leeds United
Leeds United will shift their focus to some cup action as they prepare to take on Birmingham City in the fourth round of the FA Cup at St. Andrew’s Stadium on Sunday.
The Whites sit 15th in the Premier League table, six points clear of the relegation zone and looking like good bets to survive in the top flight at the end of the season.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
However, the focus will now shift to progress in the FA Cup as they prepare to travel to the Midlands to take on Birmingham City in a cup game on Sunday.
Farke is expected to field a rotated line-up, and at least one Leeds player could be making his last start for the Whites if the club get knocked out of the cup this weekend.
Joel Piroe could make his last start for Leeds this weekend
Leeds were open to letting Piroe leave in the winter window. However, the striker rejected multiple offers and stayed put at Elland Road despite playing very little.
He hasn’t had any meaningful minutes in the Premier League, and his last start came in the third round of the FA Cup against Derby County, where he missed a penalty.
It is clear that Farke does not rate Piroe to give him any meaningful cameo appearances in the Premier League, and he is only likely to play in cup games.
The Dutchman is almost certain to start against Birmingham City on Sunday, with Farke expected to shield Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha for the league games.
If Leeds get knocked out on Sunday, it could become the last time Piroe’s name features in the starting eleven of a Leeds team.
The forward is almost certain to move on from Leeds in the summer transfer window and is not likely to play much from now until the end of the season.
Piroe should have left Leeds in January
Joel Piroe had offers to leave Leeds, and Farke’s selections made it clear that he was ready to move the Dutchman on in the winter transfer window.
However, the Dutchman remained committed to staying at Elland Road as he wants to score that elusive first Premier League goal. However, he is hardly getting any opportunities.
The striker has played a total of 18 minutes of Premier League football across five substitute appearances since the start of December.
A full competition breakdown of Joel Piroe’s appearances and minutes played for Leeds United this season across the Premier League and domestic cup competitions.
Competition Matches Minutes
Premier League 11 208
FA Cup 1 89
EFL Cup 1 90
Total 13 387
Understandably, he wants to prove himself at the highest level, but he is not getting any meaningful minutes to make an impact in the Premier League.
Piroe should have taken up the chance to leave Leeds in January, which would have also allowed the club to sign a striker in the winter window.
For now, it seems like Piroe is on a long farewell tour at Leeds, where he is not getting the minutes to make an impact.