Leeds United get best out of Joel Piroe after Daniel Farke decision
When Daniel Farke signed Joel Piroe from Swansea City this summer, most Leeds United supporters and pundits assumed the Whites had found their new number nine.
But after eight Championship matches for Farke’s side, the Dutchman has yet to play as an out-and-out number nine, instead being deployed behind Georginio Rutter in a number 10 position, leading to the German manager being constantly questioned over the decision.
Ahead of the Whites’ clash with Bristol City, Farke explained his reasoning for Piroe’s positioning in a 13-minute explanation with the first point being that all of Piroe, Rutter, Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph would like to play as the recognised striker [The Athletic, October 6].
The Dutchman’s performances have been at a level that supporters and pundits alike are going to have to stop discussing whether or not Piroe is playing in his best position, as the 24-year-old’s current role is not only getting the best out of him but those around him.
During Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Bristol City, Piroe registered his fifth goal since making the switch to Elland Road despite arguably having one of his quieter games. With only 36 touches, the former Swansea man had five shots, played three passes into the final third and found the net with a shot that had an xG of 0.05 [Fotmob].
Piroe is currently scoring a goal every 185 minutes for Farke’s side, or just over a goal every other game. Having missed the first three matches of the season before leaving South Wales, if he continues this current record he will find the net 26 times for United this year.
That would be the highest goal return of the Dutchman’s career so far, having scored 19 and 22 times in his last two Championship seasons, therefore there is an argument that while he is a Leeds United player, the number 10 position is where he is best utilised.
There is also the fact that Rutter is by no means having a poor start to the season himself, registering five goal involvements in the opening ten matches of the campaign, which would see him manage 23 goals and assists if he maintains that rate for the remaining 36 matches.
Farke has won the Championship twice and was the manager who ensured that Teemu Pukki took the Championship and then the Premier League for a period by storm. He knows how to get the best out of attacking players and part of that plan is playing Piroe behind the recognised centre-forward.
It may not have been what Leeds supporters expected when he arrived in the summer, but for the most part, it is working so there is very little reason for fans to clammer to see him lead the line, even if he has had a few quieter matches.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites could be set for a busy transfer window after the 49ers funding was explained