Joel Piroe was the Championship’s top scorer last season as Leeds United dominated the second tier and earned promotion to the Premier League. However, the Dutchman is facing a completely different challenge this season as he continues to wait for another opportunity to prove himself.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke has described him as a world-class forward and believes he is the best finisher he has ever worked with. However, those words of praise have not translated to more minutes for the Dutchman this season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the first-choice striker, and Lukas Nmecha is the backup. After being the main man for Leeds last season, Piroe is now the third-choice striker in the squad.
There are question marks around his future ahead of the winter transfer window, with suggestions that he could look to move on in January if he doesn’t get regular minutes at Leeds.
Leeds United do not want to sell Joel Piroe in January
Piroe was the undisputed first-choice striker at Leeds last season. However, the situation has dramatically changed for the Dutchman in the 2025-26 campaign.
He started the first two Premier League games for Leeds, but once Calvert-Lewin was up to speed, Piroe was not getting an opportunity from the bench.
The striker came on at the end against Tottenham at Elland Road when Leeds were chasing a goal, and he looked like one of the forwards who could have scored towards the end.
However, he is likely to return to the bench on Saturday when Leeds travel to Burnley, and that situation is unlikely to change any time soon.
According to TEAMTalk, Leeds have no plans to let the forward leave the club in the winter transfer window despite his lack of minutes this season.
Farke believes the striker will be important for Leeds at some point this season, and he has no plans to weaken his forward line further in January.
With Leeds struggling with injuries in the attacking areas, it seems unlikely that Piroe will be allowed to leave unless he pushes for a move.
Will Piroe push for a move?
Farke has indicated that Piroe lacks the physicality he wants from his number 9 in the Premier League, and that will continue to be a problem
It is understandable why Leeds do not want to lose him in January, as the Dutchman’s ability in front of goal makes him a potent threat from the bench.
However, from the striker’s point of view, he would want to play more football rather than sporadic minutes in games where Leeds are chasing a goal at the end.
He has often talked about a return to the Netherlands, and there could be a few Championship teams who may want a striker of Piroe’s quality in the winter window.
Leeds are not interested in doing a deal, but that could change if they can sign a striker of Chris Wood’s quality in January, and Piroe could then be more than surplus to requirements.
However, it could take the Dutchman to push for a move if he wants to leave Elland Road in the winter window.
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United strikers?
