Finding Value Where Others Overlook It
Life is all about choices. Whether you're picking a new car, exploring one of the trusted UK casinos found at fruityslots.com or selecting the striker to lead your Fantasy Premier League front line, one thing always matters: value.
You wouldn’t, for instance, buy a car with a failed MOT or sign up to a casino that doesn’t offer generous bonuses and fair play. And in FPL, you wouldn’t waste a spot on a forward with a patchy injury record or a history of bust-ups with managers.
Instead, you'd look to identify players who can outperform their price tag while flying under the radar. After a closer look at this season’s promoted options, Joel Piroe stands out. The Leeds United forward is priced at just £5.5m for the new campaign, and his inclusion could free up funds elsewhere in your squad without sacrificing goal threat.
The Championship’s Golden Boot Winner
Piroe ended last season as the Championship’s leading goalscorer with 19 goals, helped by an extraordinary four-goal haul against Stoke in the third-to-last game of the campaign that Leeds won 6–0. The Dutchman's expected goals (xG) tally for the season was 17.2, which he comfortably outperformed — another sign of his clinical finishing and ability to convert difficult chances.
The win against Stoke was also the three points that secured Leeds a place in the Premier League. That’s worth keeping in mind, as the scoreline might suggest it was a walk in the park. In reality, Elland Road was a hotbed of nerves before kick-off. Leeds don’t tend to perform well when there’s a sense of expectation, which is exactly why opposition fans often sing Joy Division’s anthem about falling apart, inserting Leeds’ name into the lyrics.
In essence, Piroe's goals against the Potters showed that he isn’t overawed by big occasions, and there will be plenty more of those this season in the Premier League.
Piroe the Playmaker
The fact that Piroe won the Golden Boot after starting the season behind Mateo Joseph — and then, when he did come into the team, was deployed as a number ten in a deeper role — is also worth noting.
Piroe's place in Daniel Farke’s starting XI became a talking point among Elland Road regulars, with many urging the manager to play him further forward. But Farke stuck with Piroe as a playmaker until Christmas, and the stats ultimately justified that decision.
Despite not always leading the line, Piroe finished the campaign with 26 goal involvements, more than any other player in the Championship. That return suggests Farke may have been right to see him as more than just a goalscorer.
In Leeds’ first pre-season friendly this summer against arch-rivals Manchester United, Piroe again played in that deeper role and was arguably the best player on the pitch. His inch-perfect through ball to Largie Ramazani should have resulted in a winning goal.
In short, Piroe can do it all — score goals and pull the strings.
Will Piroe Play?
The short answer is yes, with one caveat.
The last time Joel Piroe missed a game through injury was back in 2021, and even then, it was due to the flu. At 25, he’s proven to be remarkably durable, and there’s no clear reason to expect that to change.
Now, the caveat. Leeds are actively pursuing Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz and have already seen a £26 million bid rejected. The saga looks set to run until the final hours of the window, with the club determined to land their man — something you can keep an eye on through the latest articles on fantasy football news sites. But even if Muniz arrives, it’s unlikely to come at Piroe’s expense.
Piroe’s flexibility is a huge asset. Whether Muniz joins or not, Farke values his link-up play, off-the-ball movement and ability to drop into deeper roles or play as a second striker. Combine that with his scoring record and consistent minutes, and at his price, Piroe is a smart low-risk addition to your FPL side.