Leeds United striker Joel Piroe’s goal-scoring cameo off the bench against Hull City can be the first step in making the number nine spot his own at Elland Road.
Piroe sealed a 2-0 win for the Whites in the 81st minute of their Yorkshire derby match after being teed up on the break by Junior Firpo, coming on seven minutes earlier and finding acres of space in the box.
Piroe started 30 of 49 matches in the Championship and playoffs last season, but with Mateo Joseph now the first-choice striker, Piroe must make the most of his minutes to retake a starting spot.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds (31 August), former Whites boss Neil Redfearn said: “When (Piroe) first arrived at the club, he was an automatic selection, played a lot and scored a lot of goals – but he has realised that he can’t rest on that.
“He has got to pick up the baton and run again, and I thought he looked really sharp.
“He is genuinely a finisher, Piroe, but he just needs to play at that level all the time.”
Leeds United need Joel Piroe firing to seal Premier League return
For all the fare surrounding Joseph’s emergence from youth team starlet to out-and-out number nine in Daniel Farke’s side, Piroe remains a master marksman who is arguably the best finisher at the club.
Scoring 14 league goals last season – second only to Crysencio Summerville – Piroe has often been used in attacking midfield by Farke, but his poacher’s finish against Hull made clear he is a centre-forward.
The sale of Georginio Rutter to Brighton late in the transfer window has left something of a vacancy in the number 10 role, but Piroe should surely now only be utilised further forward to lead the line.
Joseph also netted against Hull at Elland Road on 31 August and has more than earned his starting place, but Piroe is surely the go-to option for Farke if the Whites need more experience up front.
Long-time number nine Patrick Bamford will also be waiting in the wings, but if Piroe can bring his overall play onto the same level as his sharp-shooting finishing ability, he could soon be back at the top of the team sheet.
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