'I just want to' - Joel Piroe makes stance on Leeds United future clear after Middlesbrough and Rangers links
Joel Piroe has spoken candidly about his Leeds United future following links to Middlesbrough and Rangers
Joel Piroe has revealed he still sees his future at Leeds United - despite his lack of Premier League action last season.
The 26-year-old was Leeds’ chief marksman in their Championship title-winning 2024/25 campaign, delivering a 19-goal haul.
Promotion to the Premier League was followed by the arrivals of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, who pushed Piroe down the pecking order.
He made just two league starts under Daniel Farke last term and his only goal of the campaign came in the 3-0 FA Cup win over Norwich City in March.
Joel Piroe outlines stance on Leeds United future
Middlesbrough and Rangers have both been linked with the frontman, but he is seemingly keen to fight for his place at Elland Road.
He told Flashscore: “I just want to prove myself with Leeds in the Premier League. I had a little bit of the feeling that I didn't want to run away from the challenge [in the winter transfer window].
“If the start is not going as I want it to, then after just half a season to run away from the challenge, that didn't feel right as well. I thought to myself, 'why run away after half a season when you have not experienced like a full season in the Premier League?'. I still see my future there.
“Of course, when pre-season starts, I will see and feel a bit more about what the club thinks as well. But for now, I just want to present myself in a way where I can show these are the steps I've made in comparison to last season. And if it's good enough and I get the chances, then I would be really happy. And if it's not the case, then we will see what will happen.”
Joel Piroe’s confidence intact
Piroe played a bit-part role as Leeds staved off relegation to the Championship and failed to register a single league goal.
The confidence of the Suriname international, however, does not appear to have been dented.
He said: “I don't think it did anything to my confidence because when you play a very low number of minutes, it maybe says 21 appearances, but if you look at the minutes (572), then it's not something that I would punish myself for.
“At the same time, when I think back about some games, like the home game against Manchester United when I could have scored the winner in the last minute, of course, those moments can make you angry, or you think like, 'Ah, I should have done better’.
“But at the same time, that happens and then you think like, ‘if I played maybe the full game or more minutes, then for sure I would have scored more’. But yes, that is something you don't have in your hands. Personally, it's always tough because everyone wants to play every minute. But I think in some situations it's just good to make out of a bad situation a good situation.
“So, instead of moping around and being annoyed, you can still make it a good season on a personal level, and I just think that's what I've done and I hope to be able to show that next season.”