news-engine

Leeds United beat RB Leipzig in a 2-0 friendly victory at Elland Road. Both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha got on the scoresheet. Leeds have two more pre-season friendlies to sharpen the focus before our Premier League campaign kicks off away to Nottingham Forest later in August. Another fixture concludes with Leeds getting even more minutes in the tank against top flight opposition. We dispatched of RB Leipzig 2-0 over the course of 120 minutes at Elland Road. Joel Piroe watches from the bench as Leeds United beat RB Leipzig with goals from other strikers Leeds’ bright start paid dividends in the opening 10 minutes of the game. A lovely combo from Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon released the rapid Welsh centre-back out on the wing, who laid the ball on a plate for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. It was Calvert-Lewin’s third goal in two fixtures, having bullied Liverpool’s defence back in Chicago. And, the man who replaced him then got on the scoresheet too. Deep into the scorching 120 minutes at Elland Road, a cut-back from Willy Gnonto was smartly swept home by fellow substitute Lukas Nmecha. Watching on from the half-refurbished dugout was Joel Piroe. The Suriname striker scored in Leeds’ first pre-season fixture against Wrexham, but has been phased out of involvement against Premier League and Bundesliga opposition. Given the trust Daniel Farke gave to Jayden Lienou, Rhys Chadwick, Alfie Cresswell, and Callum Mills, it’s a bit of a damning indictment of Piroe’s place in the pecking order to be left on the bench with three unused U21 players. Daniel Farke’s comments on Joel Piroe and transfers revealed – Leeds United striker low in pecking order Unsurprisingly, Farke was quizzed on why Piroe wasn’t involved in any capacity during 120 minutes of action. “So, the reason is just like we had two games of 60 minutes, and Dominic missed the first part of pre-season. He desperately needed the 60 minutes today,” Farke told LeedsLive. “And yeah, also Lukas Nmecha was in a good shape, has scored goals, was then slightly ahead of Joel Piroe in the striker role. This is the only reason. “But of course, tough anyhow for Joel. But during the long season, we have to take some tough decisions. And right now, we are on the stage of pre-season where I can’t just say ‘OK, you play 30 minutes and the other 30 minutes, whatever’. “They need, right now, a proper chunk of minutes, and that’s the only reason. No problems at all with Joel. He’s training fully-focused, concentrated and professional like always. Just a decision for Dominic and for the game time of Lukas today, and not against Joel.” Specifically discussing transfer activity, mainly outgoings, Farke was again diplomatic, easing any speculation of imminent departures. “We will see. So far, no one has knocked at my door in order to say that he wants to leave,” Farke continued. “It’s also not that the group is too big at the moment. So yeah, let’s see what what happens once we edge closer to the start. “Perhaps also after the first one or two games, a few players are perhaps a bit more disappointed, then it’s more likely that someone would knock at my door. But it seems like everyone is in a good mood, everyone is happy.” Daniel Farke’s Joel Piroe pecking order comments don’t match his Leeds United actions Of course, it makes sense that Farke wants to get Calvert-Lewin shipshape for the start of the season. And then, his next priority is Nmecha. But, that obviously leaves Piroe nailed on as third choice, which we knew of course. The issue is, he’s got no way of disrupting that pecking order with no match sharpness. Then with a year left on his contract, an exit seems the only possible solution that benefits Piroe. Farke’s coy response on transfer exit progress is typical, in fairness. He’s never one to commit on that front and is always (rightly) eager to make sure his group is as settled as possible, which goes a long way. Although, the longer Piroe is frozen out, the more unhappy he’ll get. And with players like Mills and Chadwick coming on, who both operate in positiosn we know Piroe can – behind the striker – it makes it very clear Piroe isn’t part of the plans. That’s before you even acknowledge our clear interest in signing a striker this summer. Add a third forward in front of Piroe in the queue and his minutes go from minimal to literally zero. Farke might not have anyone knocking on his door to leave, but an exit surely isn’t far away.