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Get rid before Piroe: Farke must sell Leeds flop who was worth £40m 3 years ago - opinion

Whilst Leeds United deserve massive credit for how they've put themselves on course for Premier League survival at the first time of asking, second-season syndrome is still waiting to take its first victim in August.

Those at Elland Road have been here before and they'll be desperate to avoid the same deadly virus that brought an end to many other sides down at the bottom of the top-flight.

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Fear not, though, there is one important remedy to ensure survival and more next season. Leeds must act ruthlessly in the transfer window and sell the likes of Joel Piroe.

Why Joel Piroe is becoming a big problem for Leeds

Piroe was always likely to lose his place to Dominic Calvert-Lewin this season. The summer arrival is Premier League proven and has since become the consistent goalscorer that Daniel Farke was crying out for. But that doesn't mean the Dutchman had to go out with a whimper.

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The forward has endured a nightmare 2026, months on from settling for a squad role thanks to the arrival of his new teammate. Having initially featured in six of the first 12 Premier League games this season, Piroe has since played just nine minutes in the last 630 available in the top flight.

His goalscoring record hasn't helped his case, though, given that he's found the back of the net just once in all competitions this season.

Even as Leeds defeated West Ham on penalties to reach the last four of the FA Cup, Piroe was limited to only 15 minutes and missed his spot kick when the time came.

Missing from 12 yards just about sums up the year that the forward has endured, going from one of the Championship's leading strikers to a forgotten man in the Premier League.

For both his sake and their own, Leeds should cash in on Piroe alongside another frustrating flop this summer.

Leeds should prioritise another sale at Elland Road

Before the topic of Piroe's sale can even enter the minds of those at Elland Road, they must sell Illan Meslier. The shot-stopper is still contracted at the club, but has not made a single appearance for Farke's side this season.

Ever since fumbling his starting place at the end of last season and very nearly fumbling Leeds' promotion hopes in the process, the Frenchman has rightly been forced to watch on from the reserves.

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There was once a time when Meslier looked like one of the best young goalkeepers in the Premier League. Any mistake could be blamed on his youth. Alas, unlike those same mistakes, those days are long gone.

If those at Elland Road could go back three years, then they may have cashed in on the goalkeeper when he was that young star was reportedly worth as much as £40m, rather than the error-prone flop that they may struggle to shift this summer.

Meslier 24/25

Goals prevented

Save percentage

Errors

Clean sheets

Farke had little choice but to drop Meslier at the end of last season. Despite keeping 21 clean sheets, the goalkeeper has his backline to thank for that after making three errors and conceding three more goals than expected throughout the campaign.

The performances of Karl Darlow ever since then should be the nail in the coffin for Meslier's Leeds career, especially now that Lucas Perri has dropped to the bench as Farke's No.2.

Compared to Meslier last season, Darlow is yet to make an error leading to a goal and has conceded around two more goals than expected. Every time the 35-year-old watches on as another potential No.1 arrives, he has been forced back into the starting lineup. That alone, is a major problem that Leeds must solve this summer.

The priority for the 49ers should be clear. Whilst finally ending what has turned into a disastrous Elland Road career for Meslier, they should welcome a shot-stopper capable of replacing Darlow once and for all.

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