(Credit: Manh Tung)

Josh Edwards

Mon 9 March 2026 13:10, UK

Joel Piroe was on the scoresheet as Leeds United coasted past Norwich in the FA Cup.

Despite the risk of relegation, Daniel Farke named a strong starting 11 to take on Norwich, and with the Whites coming away with a 3-0 victory, it certainly paid dividends.

Sean Longstaff opened the scoring for Leeds, with Gabriel Gudmundsson and Piroe getting the other goals to ensure their place in the next round of the FA Cup.

And while Piroe, who was linked with several Championship clubs in January, will take heart from his first goal since April, it also painted a very clear image as to what comes next for him.

Joel Piroe transfer reality emerges after Norwich win

There’s no way to mention Piroe without making note of the fact that he finished as Leeds’ top scorer last season, and without him, they may well not be where they are today.

However, his lack of impact since promotion has been rather telling, and while his performance in the FA Cup was a positive one, that only amplified the concerns that many have been aware of.

Piroe is a Championship player by all accounts, and a very good one at that.

Against sides lower down the pyramid, he is afforded the time and space on the ball to execute the qualities that he can bring to the table, but in the Premier League, he isn’t.

The 26-year-old created two chances against Norwich on Sunday, while also having a 100 per cent completion rate when it comes to his shot accuracy, attempted dribbles and long balls attempted.

Piroe won five of his eight duels in the game, while also scoring from a shot that had an xG of just 0.27.

Farke will be pleased with his display, but it will not have changed his judgment.

What’s next for Piroe at Leeds United?

Ultimately, not much.

The links connecting him with an exit in January were strong, and many of them will remain heading into the summer.

However, what his performance has showcased is that a move to the Championship may be the one that suits him the most.

Piroe thrives when given time and space on the ball, and that was the biggest reason behind the success he found in the Championship last season.

Middlesbrough, Coventry and Birmingham had been linked previously, and it would not be a surprise to see him move to a club of a similar calibre this summer.