Last season Joel Piroe lead the Leeds United attack as they scored 95 goals on their way to winning Premier League promotion. This summer, there was a lot of talk concerning the Dutchman.
Many did not believe he was good enough for top flight level of football, and when the club announced Lukas Nmecha as their first signing of the summer, eyebrows were raised. Then later in the summer window, Leeds signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Seven games into the season, Daniel Farke has managed to use all three strikers in different games. Now, it looks like Calvert-Lewin has emerged as the clear first choice in the team.
QUIZ: Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from?
Jermaine Beckford backs Lukas Nmecha to shine this season
Lukas Nmecha Credit: Imago
But the club know the former Everton man’s injury history, and this is a large part of why Piroe and Nmecha are there as competition. Former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford believes that Lukas Nmecha will surprise everyone this season when he gets into rhythm.
“Yeah, absolutely. I’ve spoken to him a few times incidentally. He’s not the finished article – he knows he’s not.” he told the Yorkshire Post.
“He knows there’s room to improve but he is willing to put in the hard yards. He’s willing to work hard.
“He understand where he is. He understands the what the fanbase are about, he understands you’ve got to graft.
“First and foremost, give everything on the pitch and the goals will come. It took me a year a half to get my first goal for Leeds United.
“I had a couple of loan spells but I was a slow-burner.
“Fortunately for me, I was able to find my feet after a certain amount of time and I didn’t look back.
“Both Lukas and Dominic have got a goal this season.
“It’s a matter of time before they start hitting the ground running and putting the ball in the back of the net.”
Nmecha has serious competition up top
Joel Piroe has already lost his place to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The England striker seems to be the favourite now, but Daniel Farke knows each of his center forwards have their own strengths. He recently mentioned that Piroe is a great finisher, but because Leeds cannot dominate possession in the Premier League, it makes his selection difficult.
Lukas Nmecha has a very similar skillset to Calvert-Lewin, which means he may get more opportunities in the team down the line this season.
