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Worth more than Solomon: Leeds hero is now showing shades of Chris Wood
Leeds United has seen some remarkable strikers in the Premier League era, and one of the most iconic, though not necessarily the best, is Tony Yeboah. Despite only making 66 appearances for the club, Yeboah scored 32 goals, including memorable strikes against Wimbledon and Liverpool in 1995.
Another standout forward for Leeds since 1992 was Mark Viduka. Widely regarded as one of the best Australian players in Premier League history, Viduka netted 72 goals and provided 16 assists in 166 appearances for Leeds, establishing himself as a lethal striker.
Chris Wood’s Leeds record
Chris Wood, who played for Leeds before their Premier League years, also left a lasting impression. Although he didn’t feature for the club in the Premier League, his time at Elland Road was unforgettable.
Wood’s Leeds Record Chris Wood has been in exceptional form for Nottingham Forest during the 2024/25 season. In 25 Premier League matches, the New Zealand striker has scored 18 goals.
Leeds fans may not be surprised by this, as Wood was just as effective for them during his two seasons at Elland Road between 2015 and 2017, albeit in the Championship.
Over 88 appearances, Wood scored 44 goals and registered nine assists, proving clinical in front of goal. In his second season, he bagged 27 goals in 44 games.
The Auckland-born striker was sensational for Leeds, and although fans would love to see him return, manager Daniel Farke has a player showing similar form to Wood.
The Leeds star showing shades of Wood
Leeds Player Showing Similar Traits to Wood Leeds’ attack has been impressive this season, but Joel Piroe has stood out as perhaps the most clinical of the bunch. The 25-year-old Dutch forward has been excellent in leading the line for Farke’s side.
Piroe joined Leeds in 2023 from Swansea City, where he was highly regarded. Swansea fans, including social media personality Jordan Webber, often referred to Piroe as a “special” player, and his performances at Elland Road have justified that praise.
This season, Piroe has scored 14 goals and provided six assists in just 34 Championship games, playing a key role in Leeds’ position at the top of the table.
A standout moment came in a 4-0 win over Watford, where he scored and assisted, showcasing his quick feet as he slalomed past defenders before finishing calmly.
Statistically, Piroe has been outstanding, with a 20% conversion rate according to Sofascore, similar to Wood’s 25% in the 2016/17 season.
Piroe is highly valued at £11.6m by Transfermarkt, surpassing the value of teammate Manor Solomon, who is worth £7.5m. Solomon, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, has also been in good form, with 14 goal contributions this season, including four in the last six matches.
There’s little doubt that Piroe’s performances this season resemble Wood’s from 2016/17. With a third of the season remaining, Piroe could very well surpass Wood’s tally from that campaign and help Leeds secure promotion.
At this rate, Piroe is well on his way to becoming another cult-hero striker at Elland Road.
