Leeds United spent close to £100million this summer, but barely spent any money on the attack. Daniel Farke spent the summer asking for attacking reinforcements but barely got any signings.
The Whites only got three new attackers in the door this summer; Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and Lukas Nmecha. Two of them were free transfers and Okafor was the only permanent signing.
Leeds started this season with a bit of a goal drought. Daniel Farke’s side scored just one goal in the first four games, but the team have sprung to life in the last couple of games.
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Daniel Farke speaks on Joel Piroe’s place in the team
Joel Piroe Credit: Imago
Daniel Farke made a crucial change to the lineup after the international break. He chose to start Noah Okafor, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson against Fulham. Many complained about the attack, and voiced their concerns when Leeds failed to score.
Since that game, the Whites have scored five goals in two games with Okafor and Calvert-Lewin scoring their first goals this season. Joel Piroe has been out of the lineup since this change in form. Daniel Farke has now explained the striker’s place in the first team:
“It’s always difficult when you had such a good season last season and everyone is singing your name.
“To then not play as much, of course it is tough. He is the best finisher I have ever worked with, I would always go for Joel Piroe, finishing world class, but we can’t always play at this level being that dominant.
“A few other skills needed at times in different games, it’s difficult because I don’t want him to be a completely different player, he can also play as a no 10, I am 100 per cent sure that during the season the skills and strengths of Joel Piroe are also needed.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has staked his claim to Leeds United
Calvert-Lewin has now staked his place in the first team with recent performances. And even when he did not score against Bournemouth, he made a nuisance of himself up top. Daniel Farke has said that Joel Piroe will have to deal with this kind of competition during the season.
“The best thing is to be honest, they are professionals earning lots of money, you have to accept that there is competition, I have to say my evaluation and the importance of Joel has not dropped, he is pretty, pretty important. I am sure we will see him in many situations on the pitch and hopefully he can do well.”
As a finisher I would put Joel above DCL. As a target man to hold up play then DCL. Problem is they both go missing at times. It’s a tough call for Farke tbh. DCL let us down against Bournemouth for sure