NafisaLeeds United may have ended their Dublin trip without a win, but Daniel Farke will have taken plenty from the Whites’ latest pre-season outings as he continues to shape his squad ahead of another demanding Premier League campaign.
Manchester United eventually edged Leeds on penalties after the sides played out a 1-1 draw, with James Trafford making his first appearance since completing his club-record move from Manchester City.
The England international impressed during his 45-minute outing, while summer arrivals Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson have also shown enough during pre-season to suggest they can become important figures for Farke.
But while the focus has understandably been on the players coming through the door, Leeds still have significant work to complete on the other side of the transfer equation.
The Whites need to reduce the size of the squad, move on players who no longer feature prominently in Farke’s plans and create both financial and squad space for further additions before the window closes.
And one player in particular appears to have received a pretty unmistakable message from his manager.
Daniel Farke’s decision indicates Leeds United star needs to leave:
Farke recently insisted that no Leeds player had asked to leave the club this summer, despite some members of the squad receiving limited opportunities during pre-season.
That stance has since been complicated by Sebastiaan Bornauw’s desire to return to Germany, with the defender closing in on a move to Hamburg. Leeds, meanwhile, have been working on a potential replacement, with Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi emerging as a target.
But Bornauw’s situation is not the only departure that could be developing behind the scenes.
Farke’s recent team selections have arguably provided an even clearer indication of the situation surrounding Joel Piroe.
The Dutchman has found himself pushed right down the striker pecking order despite Leeds not even having four recognised centre-forwards competing for places.
That is a pretty significant warning sign.
Piroe was not involved in either of Leeds’ last two pre-season fixtures, further underlining just how difficult his route back into Farke’s plans could be.
With the Premier League campaign approaching and Leeds still looking to recruit another striker, the writing appears to be on the wall for the 25-year-old.
The biggest problem is that Piroe still needs to leave before Leeds can properly move forward with their plans for another attacking addition.
If the club can find a buyer, it would immediately free up a place in the squad while also potentially generating funds that could be reinvested elsewhere.
For Piroe himself, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult to argue that Elland Road remains the best place for his career.
Joel Piroe has to leave Leeds:
There was a time when Piroe looked like one of the most important players in Leeds’ promotion push.
The forward finished the 2024/25 Championship campaign as the division’s leading goalscorer, with his goals proving hugely valuable as Farke’s side secured their return to the Premier League.
Yet promotion dramatically changed his situation.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s arrival immediately altered the hierarchy at the top of the pitch, while Piroe struggled to convince Farke that he could provide the mobility, physical presence and all-round game required to lead the line consistently in the Premier League.
His finishing has never really been the issue.
Farke has repeatedly acknowledged Piroe’s ability in front of goal, but scoring goals is only one part of what the Leeds manager demands from his centre-forward.
The Dutchman has consequently slipped further and further down the pecking order.
Being treated as effectively the fourth-choice striker when Leeds do not even have four established options in that position is perhaps the clearest indication yet of how Farke views his prospects.
And now, with Leeds actively searching for another striker, the situation looks even more difficult.
A new arrival would only push Piroe further away from regular football.
For a player who was once the Championship’s most prolific goalscorer, spending another season watching from the sidelines would make little sense.
Leeds, meanwhile, need to make difficult decisions if they are going to build a squad capable of comfortably competing in the Premier League.
Piroe has already demonstrated that he can score goals at Championship level. The question now is whether another club is prepared to give him the opportunity to prove he can do the same in the top flight.
From Farke’s recent decisions, it certainly does not look as though that opportunity will come at Elland Road.
The message from the Leeds boss may never have been delivered publicly, but his selections have arguably said enough.
Piroe needs to find a new club — and Leeds need to find a solution quickly.
Nafisa
