Leeds United players will return to Championship action this weekend when they host Swansea City at Elland Road. The Whites have had a wobble in their quest for automatic promotion and need to get their mojo back for the remaining eight games of the Championship campaign. One Leeds player has indicated that his focus is on ensuring the team are in the Premier League next season.
Daniel Farke will have his full Leeds United squad back in training later this week as international stars continue to return to Thorp Arch in batches from their national team duty.
The Whites have won just two of their last five games, and the Championship leaders are under some pressure to respond with a commanding performance and a result this weekend.
Promotion talk is doing the rounds but there are also rumours about the futures of Leeds players as they approach the end of the season and the summer transfer window.
However, one Leeds player is insistent that playing in the Premier League for Leeds remains his focus at this stage.
“The Premier League first” – Leeds United star
Joel Piroe is in the running for the Golden Boot with 15 goals in the Championship this season and has been the main man up front for Leeds this year.
The Dutchman recently rejected an offer to change nationalities and play for Suriname as he wants to focus on his club career and maintain his fitness.
The Leeds striker admitted a return to his former club PSV Eindhoven would be interesting as he feels he has unfinished business left with the Dutch giants.
However, he stressed that his focus is on Leeds and his primary goal is to get promoted and get his chance to play in the Premier League.
“Yes, absolutely. Why not? I had a great time there, and when I think back, it feels like unfinished business”, Piroe told ESPN Netherlands when asked whether he would consider returning to PSV.
“But right now I am fully focused on reaching the Premier League and I want to experience that first.”
The players remaining focused is good news
The business end of the season is exciting for the supporters, and while the players have their minds on ending the campaign on a strong note, it is also that time of the year when the transfer rumours start to emerge.
It is easy for players to lose focus while speculation about their futures swirls, and it is good to see Piroe has not lost track of what’s important at this stage of the season.
Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
Several players in the Leeds squad have never played in the Premier League, and Piroe is one such individual. Getting a crack at the top flight has been a dream for him.
While Leeds are expected to sign one or two strikers if they get promoted, the Dutchman is expected to be allowed to prove himself as well.
A return to PSV Eindhoven would take him back to a familiar setting and a chance to play European football but Piroe remains committed to Leeds and the prospect of proving himself in the Premier League.
