Leeds United`s effectiveness in front of goal has significantly improved this season under Daniel Farke. While the West Yorkshire side remains firmly entrenched in a relegation battle, their recent upturn in attacking form offers genuine hope for survival.
Farke`s team was the highest-scoring side in the Championship last term with 95 goals. Although they haven`t maintained that prolific rate in the Premier League, their current tally of 24 goals is better than all four teams below them, a vital factor in their fight to avoid the drop.
The arrival of England international Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer this summer, following the expiration of his Everton contract, initially raised concerns. Former pundit Danny Murphy voiced caution, calling the move a “big risk” due to Calvert-Lewin`s persistent injury record, even while acknowledging he could be a “great addition” if he managed to stay fit.
Calvert-Lewin, the Sheffield-born number nine, has proven his fitness and quality, becoming a roaring success at Elland Road. Manager Daniel Farke has even lauded him as “one of the best English strikers in this league,” high praise indeed.
The 28-year-old is currently enjoying a fantastic run of goalscoring form. He has netted seven times in 15 appearances this season, with six of those goals coming in his last five matches. This impressive streak includes finding the net against elite opposition such as Liverpool, Manchester City (both home and away), and Chelsea. His unstoppable run has provided a massive boost to Leeds’ Premier League campaign.
Calvert-Lewin was not the only striker acquisition this summer. Lukas Nmecha, 27, also joined on a free transfer from Wolfsburg and has four goals to his name. However, Nmecha is currently out with a hamstring issue, potentially creating an opportunity for another key forward: Joel Piroe.
Piroe was a central figure in Leeds` Championship-winning side last season but has struggled for minutes in the Premier League, managing only fleeting substitute appearances after starting the first two games. He has yet to score in his 200 minutes on the pitch this term.
The contrast to last season is significant. The Dutchman featured 46 times in the Championship for Farke, registering 19 goals and seven assists. His outstanding campaign included a remarkable four-goal haul against Stoke City late in the season.
Farke once described Piroe as the “best finisher” he had ever seen, and his Championship statistics certainly support this claim. Piroe`s numbers demonstrate a prolific efficiency that, if translated to the top flight, could prove invaluable:
Piroe`s exceptional metrics show he is not just a prolific scorer but also highly efficient, exceeding his expected goals tally and contributing significantly to creating chances for teammates. Should Farke grant Piroe a sustained run in the starting lineup during Nmecha`s injury absence, he could quickly become the next reliable goal machine at Elland Road, potentially emulating the impact Patrick Bamford had during his best years for the club.
Rupert Fawcett
