Joel Piroe with cracked Leeds badge
Credit: Imago
Jacob Raw
Mon 6 April 2026 18:40, UK
Joel Piroe should get no sympathy for his penalty miss in Leeds United‘s FA Cup win over West Ham this Sunday.
The Dutchman was brought on with 15 minutes left of extra time to play, as penalties were probably always in Daniel Farke‘s mind at that point.
Piroe is usually a reliable spot kick taker, but he just so happened to pull off arguably the worst penalty of the whole shootout, with his teammate having to bail him out.
It’s hard to see how the striker can get game time at Elland Road with just seven league games to go, as well as an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Piroe turned down offers to stay at Leeds in the winter window, which already looked silly at the time, but now his call looks even worse.
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It beggars belief that Joel Piroe stayed at Leeds; here’s why
Leeds were in the market for a new striker in the winter window, and even lodged a bid close to £40million to try and sign Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The Whites missed out on the Norwegian in the end, as PSR restrictions meant that the 49ers may have only been able to pull off a deal had Piroe left.
Area of game Stats
Games (starts) 13 (2)
Minutes played 217′
Shots 11
xG 0.87
Goals 0
Piroe’s PL record this season
Understandably, the Leeds forward wants to prove himself in the Premier League, but at that point he had already seen limited minutes, which were never going to improve in the second half of the campaign.
Piroe has done nothing to convince anyone that he is ready to start for Leeds in top-flight matches, and his spot-kick miss against West Ham may only harm his confidence even more.
Joel Piroe in the Premier League this season
Credit: Breaking Media
A truly bizarre decision for the forward to make, who had a nice deal at Ibrox with Rangers on the table.
How much is Piroe worth?
All signs are pointing towards Piroe’s exit in the summer, unless Leeds are relegated from the Premier League, in which case the 49ers may want to keep him.
The Whites would most likely want a permanent exit for the number nine, and Transfermarkt have him valued at £11.3million.
Given the financial constraints that Leeds face, anything over £10m may be a win for Piroe, who has somewhat tarnished his time at Elland Road.
Clubs from his homeland of the Netherlands have been reported interest, as to have Rangers and other Championship clubs, as a summer decision awaits.