‘They can’t ignore me anymore’… £10m star ready to shine for Leeds United in the Premier League next season
Joel Piroe Determined to Shine as Leeds United Prepare for Premier League Return
As Leeds United gear up for a long-awaited return to the Premier League, the spotlight will be on several players eager to prove their worth at the highest level of English football. Among them, perhaps none have more to prove—or more to gain—than Dutch striker Joel Piroe.
Leeds defied the odds to secure promotion from the Championship last season, but they now face a fresh and formidable challenge. History offers little comfort; each of the last six teams promoted to the Premier League has suffered immediate relegation. Despite considerable investment, many found the step up too steep, highlighting the ever-widening chasm between England’s top two tiers.
For manager Daniel Farke, this season presents both a challenge and an opportunity. His past experiences with Norwich City in the Premier League yielded little success, but the context at Leeds is markedly different. Backed by a stronger squad and a more significant financial platform, Farke will hope to rewrite his Premier League story. However, many of his players remain untested at the top level, and even those who have featured in the Premier League previously haven’t always looked the part.
That reality makes the upcoming campaign a crucial one for both the manager and his squad. There’s a lot riding on individual performances—and for Joel Piroe, it’s a chance to answer his critics once and for all.
Piroe’s Path: A Striker with a Point to Prove
Piroe joined Leeds from Swansea City in the summer of 2023 in a deal reportedly worth £10 million. Since then, he has had a mixed journey at Elland Road. While he has managed to find the net with some regularity—scoring 33 Championship goals across two seasons, including a league-leading 19 in the 2024/25 campaign that earned him the Golden Boot—doubts about his consistency and suitability for top-tier football have lingered.
Fan sentiment has been divided. While some praise his natural finishing ability and calmness in front of goal, others have pointed to his occasional quiet spells in games, questioning whether he can deliver against Premier League defences. The criticism hasn’t gone unnoticed, but it appears to have only fuelled Piroe’s motivation.
In a recent interview with Dutch publication Voetbalzone, the 25-year-old addressed his growing profile back home and suggested that playing in the Premier League could help elevate him to a level where he simply can’t be overlooked—either by fans or by the Dutch national team selectors.
> “That is of course a great honour and always nice to hear,” Piroe said when asked about recognition in the Netherlands. “For me, the priority is still club football at the moment and international football would be a bonus… When you play in the Championship, you know that you’re not looked at as much. But of course it’s nice to hear that you’re not forgotten. I think that if I show myself in the Premier League, they can’t ignore me anymore.”
Why the Premier League Could Suit Piroe Better
It’s not uncommon for strikers to find the Premier League more suited to their skill set than the Championship. Patrick Bamford is a prime example. While his performances in the second tier were occasionally questioned, Bamford flourished in the 2020/21 Premier League season, scoring 17 goals and establishing himself as a top-flight calibre striker.
Piroe could well follow a similar trajectory. One reason is the tactical shift Leeds are expected to undergo. In the Championship, Farke’s side regularly dominated possession, often forcing Piroe to operate in congested attacking zones where space was at a premium. His off-ball movement was frequently stifled by deep defensive blocks, and fans criticised him for seeming “lost” or uninvolved in build-up play.
Next season, however, Leeds will likely be the underdogs more often than not. This could open up opportunities for a more counter-attacking style of play—one that may play to Piroe’s strengths. With quick outlets like Dan James and the potential addition of pacey attackers such as Manor Solomon, Leeds may thrive on swift transitions. If Piroe can keep up with the tempo and position himself well, he may find himself on the end of numerous goal-scoring chances.
A Defining Season Awaits
Piroe is entering the most important phase of his career to date. At 25, he’s at an age where he needs to cement his place either as a Premier League-quality striker—or risk being labelled a “Championship specialist.” His goal-scoring record suggests he has the tools. What remains to be seen is whether he can apply them under the intense scrutiny and higher standards of the Premier League.
He’s aware of the doubts, but he also knows the platform that lies ahead. If he can deliver for Leeds in the top flight, not only will he silence his sceptics, but he could also put himself in the frame for international recognition with the Netherlands.
In many ways, Piroe’s story will mirror Leeds United’s season. Uncertain, full of potential, and with everything to prove.