Joel Piroe’s situation at Leeds United seems to be hitting a snag, with tactical changes under Daniel Farke pushing him further down the pecking order.
Last season’s Championship top scorer has struggled for game time all season, raising questions about his future with the club. There was plenty of interest in Piroe in January, most notably from Ipswich Town.
Piroe has played just 14 times this season, with four starts. He is yet to score this season, although he did convert his spotkick in Leeds’ penalty shootout win over Birmingham City in the FA Cup fourth round.
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He has largely been restricted to cameo roles off the bench, and on plenty of other occasions, Piroe has been an unused substitute. The recent FA Cup clash against Birmingham highlighted Piroe’s struggles.
Despite converting a penalty in the shootout, his overall performance was underwhelming. Graham Smyth reflected on Piroe’s missed opportunities, noting on The Square Ball: “It’s just not happening for Piroe.
“You can talk about rustiness all you like but the entire stadium at St. Andrew’s sensed that the ball needed to go to Calvert-Lewin earlier than it did, and he just hung on that fraction too long,” he added.
Joel Piroe is struggling to fit in now, according to Tony Dorigo
Piroe’s difficulties aren’t just about form; they’re also about fit. Tony Dorigo, a Leeds United icon, believes the team’s current style of play doesn’t suit Piroe’s strengths, speaking on LUTV after the Birmingham win.
Joel Piroe in action for Leeds United
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
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“If you look last season, he was clearly our best finisher. You put him in the right areas, he is an amazing finisher, he’s got calmness, but I think the way that we play, it doesn’t really ideally suit his characteristics.”
With a more direct approach, favouring the physical presence of Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, Piroe’s style is increasingly at odds. He’s been relegated to a peripheral role; it must be frustrating.
Summer exit is inevitable for Joel Piroe
Despite the setbacks, £16m signing Piroe remains determined to fight for his place. Piroe had a lot of January interest from Premier League sides and even Scottish Premiership giants Rangers and Celtic.
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Leeds spent a total of £16m on Piroe…
Yet, Piroe chose to stay put, expressing his desire to prove his worth at Elland Road. “I’m struggling, of course,” Piroe admitted. “But personally, I’m not really keen on making a move this winter.”
His commitment to the club is commendable, but with limited opportunities, the path back into the starting XI looks increasingly challenging. A summer exit though feels inevitable for the striker.
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