Daniel Farke may be forced to drop Joel Piroe at Leeds United as ‘honeymoon’ period ends
Daniel Farke oversaw a huge turnover of his playing squad at Leeds United this summer, investing plenty of money to build a promotion-ready squad.
Many of the German’s signings have hit the ground running at Elland Road, with the likes of Glen Kamara, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon impressing in their early outings in a white shirt as Leeds sit third in the Championship after 15 matches.
But it hasn’t been that straightforward for everybody who arrived in Yorkshire this summer and one man who has been on a rollercoaster under Farke’s management has been Joel Piroe, who has already had plenty of ups and downs for Leeds United.
Having scored four goals in his first five matches, the Dutchman has only scored once in the next seven games, with his last goal coming against Bristol City in the first week of October, with some suggesting his role in the squad “needs addressing” [Beren Cross, 4 November].
The Leeds Live journalist has suggested that the 24-year-old has been ineffective in his last four outings, with “the honeymoon period” now over for Piroe at Elland Road after a bright start.
Farke has been passionate about playing the attacker just behind Georginio Rutter and defended the decision in a 13-minute answer during a press conference earlier this season [Phil Hay, 6 October], while Piroe himself has suggested that it is his best position.
But the time may have come for Farke to swallow his pride and admit that something needs to change in his Leeds side, especially after having the backing of 49ers Enterprises to spend £12million on the attacker [Wales Online].
The German hasn’t been able to get the best out of his most expensive addition over the last month or so and those higher up at Elland Road may well be questioning why they forked out so much money for arguably their least effective forward in October.
Goals from the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Rutter and Dan James have ensured that the Whites haven’t dropped many points because of Piroe’s anonymity, but with Wilfried Gnonto and Jaidon Anthony waiting on the bench Farke may be forced to drop his major summer signing.
Alternatively, Farke could opt to change the formation to finally play the 24-year-old as a genuine number nine, but it seems naive to do after such an excellent start to the campaign with Rutter as a lone forward ahead of an attacking midfield three.
With the talent waiting in the wings, it feels as though the only way to “address” Piroe’s position as recommended by Cross, is to drop the Dutchman. While it will be a bold call from Farke to drop the £12 million man, it could well be the best call for the team.
In other Leeds United news, Danny Mills has heaped praise on Farke for managing “more than chaos” at Elland Road