Leeds United’s Joel Piroe has 73 goals in the last four Championship seasons he has played in, which is why second tier clubs will be on alert regarding the striker’s availability in the January transfer window.
Piroe won the Championship’s Golden Boot on the way to Leeds United securing the title, scoring 19 times in his second season with the club after arriving from Swansea City.
In fact, Patrick Bamford, Andi Weimann, Adam Armstrong, and Tom Ince are the only active players in the second tier with more goals than Piroe at that level. The Dutchman has played as a centre-forward and second striker to notch a tally close to 20 per season on average.
However, promotion has meant a host of changes at Elland Road, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha coming in ahead of Piroe in the striker pecking order. They have scored or assisted 10 and five respectively, while Piroe is yet to contribute meaningfully.
The FA Cup clash with Derby County was just his fourth start and 12th appearance of the campaign. He struck the post and missed a penalty, having had seven shots in total in the match. The 26-year-old cut a frustrated figure despite the 3-1 victory for Leeds.
The Yorkshire Evening Post have recently reported that there are second tier sides known to be keeping close tabs on Piroe’s situation. That said, it’s reported no one at Elland Road is pushing to sell the 26-year-old and they believe he wants to try and prove himself at the top level.
There is an acceptance that a decision would have to be made between the player and club if offers came in this month. Here, we take a look at THREE Championship clubs who should have Piroe on their radar for if his availability changes later this month.
Middlesbrough
Piroe is an interesting profile. For what he lacks in intensity off the ball and in athleticism, he more than makes up for it with his output.
With Leeds, they were one of the most creative and most dominant sides in the division. In that sense, a team like Middlesbrough would suit him perfectly.
Kim Hellberg’s side righted some wrongs when they thumped Southampton, but consistently finding the net hasn’t always been simple. Piroe is the master at finishing off chances with either foot.
Tommy Conway and David Strelec haven’t had their most prolific seasons in-front of goal for Boro, with Morgan Whittaker chipping in with a significant amount of goals recently, and they could do with another striker in the Piroe mould to help them over the line this season.
The football is perhaps most similar to what Farke was doing last season with Leeds, and he would be well-suited to their set up as either the number-nine or just behind a busier and more workmanlike striker.
Birmingham City
In terms of ball-dominance, particularly at home, Chris Davies is striving for it with Birmingham City. They have not had the balance away yet, but their home record has seen them blow teams away.
Piroe could replace any outgoing strikers, with some uncertainty around Lyndon Dykes and Kyogo Furuhashi already this month. His ability to link play as more of a deeper playmaker would also suit Davies well.
Blues are one of the most ambitious sides in the bottom half, with designs on still sneaking a play-off place. Piroe could be one of the missing pieces of the puzzle for them between now and May.
That said, a number of the strikers at the club are suited to deeper areas and an all-round presence could be a better solution to allow Jay Stansfield to continue in a more withdrawn role.
Stoke City
With Viktor Johansson out of action, Stoke City’s answer has been to bring Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu in on what is likely to be an expensive loan, but also, Mark Robins, could do with moving to bolster their ranks at the opposite end of the pitch.
With Johansson injured, it’s to be expected that Stoke concede more frequently now. But goals are also required and perhaps Piroe would make them win more end-to-end games with a clinical edge.
Sorba Thomas has nine goals and six assists and is having a terrific season but no other player has contributed to more than seven goals so far. Last season, Piroe bagged 26 of them for Leeds, with six coming against the Potters.
They know all about what he is about, and how he has the quality to ensure them of a play-off place. Piroe, Divin Mubama, Thomas, and Million Manhoef has the makings of a top-class attack, too.