Joel Piroe ‘will get Premier League chance’ as Leeds United star defended
Joel Piroe got himself back in the goals in prolific fashion on Easter Monday as his four-goal haul for Leeds United sank Stoke City.
A star-studded performance saw Leeds blow away relegation-threatened Stoke with a 6-0 win, as Burnley’s later victory over Sheffield United ensured promotion for the Championship’s top two.
Chris Wilder’s Blades must now settle for a place in the play-offs, as Piroe put himself one strike shy of a 20-goal league season.
Piroe future in Premier League discussed
Piroe has led the line well for Leeds United this campaign, albeit with a few shaky runs of form thrown in.
The Dutchman was snubbed to lead the line towards the start of the season, when Mateo Joseph was preferred by Daniel Farke.
However, Piroe’s impact has increased as the season has progressed, and the four goals he netted on Monday were his first since February and a crucial strike at Sheffield United.
TV commentator and football analysis expert Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, has defended Piroe from any of the recent criticism he has faced, and encourages him to take the chance he may well receive in the Premier League.
Leeds will be anticipated to make some bold transfer moves over the summer, but could persist with Piroe up top, with his contract running until 2027.
“It’s the nature of the beast that is the Championship, that for a striker, you will sometimes go through periods where the goals will dry up, no matter who you’re playing for,” Darke said.
“Piroe has always been right up there, and the drought is often followed by a flood. His goal touch has come back.
“He just needed one to set him off again, and could now get his chance in the Premier League.”
Leeds United can still bag 100 points
Leeds and Burnley each moved onto 94 points following their respective wins on Monday, with the Whites making their Premier League return after two years away, and Scott Parker’s side making an instant comeback.
Both sides could still viably reach 100-point totals on the final day of the season, provided they win their final two fixtures. The race remains on for the crown of the champions of the division.
Leeds take on two sides with something still on the line, though the latter of the two will depend on how results go in the previous week.
| Championship – top scorers 2024-25 | Goals |
| Joel Piroe – Leeds United | 19 |
| Borja Sainz – Norwich City | 17 |
| Josh Brownhill – Burnley | 16 |
| Josh Sargent – Norwich City | 15 |
| Tommy Conway – Middlesbrough | 13 |
Farke’s men host Bristol City, currently fifth and looking healthy for the play-offs, in their final Elland Road clash of the season (28 April).
Afterwards, it’s the longest trip of the lot, ending the campaign against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park (3 May). Miron Muslic’s side will be hoping they still have an unlikely survival up for grabs on the last day.
Simultaneously, Burnley take on QPR away from home, before hosting Millwall for the league finale.