Leeds United began this season with three options at center forward; Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha. Two of these three faces were added in the summer transfer window – Calvert-Lewina and Nmecha.
Piroe was kept from last season, where he finished as the top scorer in the Championship. But funny enough, the Dutchman had to be subbed off in the first league game of the season before Leeds scored a goal. Lukas Nmecha came on to score the penalty that decided the game.
As the season went on, new boy Dominic Calvert-Lewin started gaining match fitness. When the former Everton man was 100%, he took over Piroe’s role a the starting striker.
QUIZ: Can you name the missing player from these 10 famous Leeds United photos?
Alan Smith believes Leeds United striker deserves a chance
Joel Piroe Credit: Imago
Calvert-Lewin had a rough start, but burst into life in the Wolves game. Leeds scored three goals on that day with the striker getting his first for the club. But since then, he has only drawn blanks and is approaching four games without a goal. He is the most guilty of missing chances too; Sofascore has credited him with a total of five chances missed in the Premier League so far.
Ahead of the West Ham game on Friday, former Leeds man Alan Smith thinks Piroe should get a chance back in the first team:
“He started the first two league games without scoring and Calvert-Lewin came in, who has got the Premier League experience.
“So, he hasn’t had many starts to show that he can make the step up. So, yeah, he’d be a bit miffed perhaps.
“But Leeds desperately need goals, don’t they? I’m sure they’d love to try and get somebody in. It seems that Farke doesn’t see Piroe as the one who can do it in the Premier League.”
Why Daniel Farke has benched last season’s top scorer
Daniel Farke spoke about his choices at center forward a few weeks ago. The Leeds boss says every player in the position has a unique skillset. He thinks Calvert-Lewin is the ideal option in tough games where the Whites need to get a result. When he touched on Joel Piroe, he mentioned that the Dutchman is one of the best finishers he has ever coached. But because the club are not as dominant against top opposition like they were in the Championship, it is difficult to select Joel Piroe.
At this point of the season, Leeds United need goals, and whoever can get them is a huge plus to the team.
