MusaFrom Hero to Third Choice: Joel Piroe’s Fall Up the Pecking Order
Last season, Joel Piroe was the Championship’s top scorer, with his goals firing Leeds United to the title and a return to the Premier League. Now, in the 2025/26 campaign, he finds himself as the team’s third-choice striker.
The summer arrivals of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha on free transfers have pushed Piroe down the pecking order. Calvert-Lewin has cemented the starting role, with Nmecha acting as his primary backup. This is a significant demotion for Piroe, who started the first two Premier League games but has not featured in the subsequent four, not even as a substitute.
Farke’s Admission: “World-Class” Finisher Forced to Wait
Manager Daniel Farke has openly expressed sympathy for Piroe’s situation, making the stunning admission that the Dutchman is “the best finisher I have ever worked with.”
However, Farke explained that the realities of Premier League football have necessitated a change in approach. “We can’t always play at this level, being that dominant. A few other skills are needed at times in different games,” Farke stated, emphasizing that while Piroe’s importance hasn’t diminished, he must wait for his chance.
The Root of the Problem: A Question of Physicality
The core issue is a tactical one. Piroe’s game, which thrived in the possession-dominant style of the Championship, lacks the physical power required for Leeds’ current Premier League strategy.
Calvert-Lewin has established himself by physically bullying top-flight centre-backs, providing a focal point that allows Leeds to compete. Piroe, in contrast, does not possess the same athletic attributes to dominate in this manner.
While Farke insists Piroe’s finishing prowess will be needed at some point this season, the striker appears consigned to a fringe role for the foreseeable future, a stark contrast to his status as the hero of the promotion campaign.
Musa
