Joel Piroe wowed by what he’s seen Leeds United fans do at Elland Road
Joel Piroe has admitted that he and his family have been left stunned by the atmosphere generated by supporters at Elland Road after quickly settling in at Leeds United.
The summer signing from Swansea City has scored five goals in his opening eight Championship matches for the Whites.
The Dutchman also picked up the Championship goal of the month for September after his superb team move strike in their 3-0 win over Millwall on 17 September.
Asked what he has made of playing at Elland Road so far, Piroe told the Yorkshire Evening Post (21 October) that the atmosphere at the club is something totally different to what he and his family have experienced before.
He said: “They have already been to Leeds and really enjoy Elland Road as well. They say that the atmosphere was something different here and louder of course and the stadium is always packed. It makes a big difference.”
Piroe already has his own song at Elland Road, just two months after making the move to West Yorkshire.
“That’s always very nice. Sometimes, I wish we could just stand still and listen to it,” he said.
Difference-maker
Piroe has been deployed in a more reserved role just off striker Georginio Rutter, but that has not stopped him from scoring at an impressive rate for his new club.
The Dutchman is a pure goalscorer and is on course to match or better the 19 and 22 league goals scored in the past two seasons with Swansea, and there’s the hope that this time around, he’ll lead the Elland Road faithful to promotion.
A striker who is incredibly reliable in front of goal is certainly what Daniel Farke has needed to drive the Whites into promotion territory, as he can no longer rely on an injury-prone Patrick Bamford.
With a return of 0.69 goals per 90 minutes [FBref] – the 10th best in the division – Leeds appear to be in good hands with Piroe in attack.
His clinical edge and presence in the final third are a difference maker to Farke’s system at Elland Road and it won’t be long before people are referring to him as Farke’s Leeds United version of Teemu Pukki – the striker the German completely transformed during his time at Carrow Road for Norwich City.
Piroe is very much his own man though, and is arguably amongst the most gifted finishers of the division the past few seasons. The Leed United faithful have already been shown an impressive glimpse and it’s why they’ll forever be singing his name for as long as he’s around.
In other Leeds United news, a football pundit and former player has revealed where the Whites stand in terms of any interest in Kalvin Phillips.