Leeds United: Joel Piroe is proving Daniel Farke right by leading Bristol City & West Brom rivals in certain department | OneFootball

Joel Piroe stands out at Leeds United, even with a more limited role from the bench this season.

Statistically, Leeds United forward Joel Piroe is among the Championship's deadliest marksmen right now, ahead of the likes of Fally Mayulu of Bristol City and West Brom's Josh Maja.

Daniel Farke was faced with an interesting conundrum in attack as the new season kicked off, with all eyes on young striker Mateo Joseph and whether the German would grant him his full league debut at long last for Leeds as their primary forward in 2024/25.

Leeds found themselves in a difficult position in their striking department this summer, and it was unclear who would be the number-nine in the long run. The spot was up for grabs, but Piroe and Joseph had not harmed their chances after an impressive pre-season campaign.

Piroe, in particular, is a terrific goalscorer at this level, but there have always been question marks surrounding his all-round game as a line-leading striker at the spearhead of the attack, especially without the right player profiles and off-the-ball intensity around him with other players.

He has showcased his quality as an all-round striker in flashes, with the play-off semi-final at Elland Road against Norwich City perhaps his best performance in a Leeds shirt as a classic No.9. However, Joseph's speed, athleticism, and link-up play has also been impressive in some of Leeds' games last season, especially in that FA Cup game at Stamford Bridge.

However, the Spaniard has been the starting striker in all six league games so far, but that hasn't come without controversy, with his consistency in front of goal perhaps lacking, as well as his inexperience. It has lead to plenty of discourse among Leeds fans recently over who should lead the line as Leeds' centre-forward.

Joseph has four goal contributions in just six league outings so far, but only one of those was a goal. Meanwhile, Piroe has three goal contributions in just 132 minutes of football; all of which have come from the bench so far. Therefore, there have been some calls to reinstate the Dutchman into the line-up, but many Leeds fans are also seeing what Joseph is providing both structurally and out of possession.

Joel Piroe's goals per 90 statistics

Despite the question marks surrounding his suitability, Piroe has the highest goals per 90 in the Championship so far, ahead of Mayulu and Maja (all stats via FotMob). It shows the reliability of his finishing is perhaps the best in the Leeds squad, and Farke recently described him as the best finisher in the Championship as well.

Maja may be the top scorer in the division, but Piroe's goals to kill off games against Hull and Cardiff have vindicated Farke on that front already, with Piroe able to contribute plenty from a limited number of minutes.

It also has justified Farke's decision two-fold, with the German continuing to utilise Piroe as a 'super sub'. The 25-year-old is perhaps not able to play the starting role in the way Joseph or Patrick Bamford are, but his striking instincts are a class above almost every striker in the division.

The likes of Maja, Elijah Adebayo, Josh Sargent, and Emmanuel Latte Lath may be the players most fans immeditately think of as the best strikers in the division, but Piroe's finishing is elite and perhaps better than any other forward in the second tier.

The problem has always been that Piroe does not suit playing as a lone focal point up front, as he lacks the skill-set for holding the ball up and leading the line. But, inarguably, with the right players around him, he could score a number of goals at this level. His finishing is a level above every other player in the first-team squad.

Hence why his sub appearances against tired legs have been so effective so far, with his quality in front of goal evident in big moments, even if general play has not always shown Piroe in the best light in terms of his ability to press effectively or even pass and retain the ball under pressure to a consistently high level.

Joel Piroe's goalscoring ability

Piroe's record is difficult to ignore in the second tier, even if he lacks some of the all-round striker qualities to be a number-nine. He may not have Joseph's athleticism or intensity out of possession, but will score goals in any team or system. He was a big statement signing last summer and will have his part to play in Leeds' promotion race this term.

With just a few days left before the deadline, Leeds sent out a message to the rest of the division by signing one of the league's most fearsome goalscorers. Initially reported to be £10 million plus add-ons, the figure could eventually rise to £16 million for the Dutchman from Swansea City.

It may not matter to Farke and this current iteration of Leeds if they are unable to start him regularly, and they will hope that they can continue to find ways of getting him into scoring positions on a regular basis again this season, albeit the competition for places has gone up a notch over the summer and Joseph's all-round displays are difficult to ignore.

In the modern game, strikers cannot be just finishers. It is a position which is arguably judged in the most one-dimensional way, but requires more from Farke and Leeds by bringing others into play and providing a platform for the rest of the team to work off of.