The sense of disappointment was palpable amongst fans and blog sites yesterday when the thumbs down was given on West Ham’s pursuit of Troy Parrott, after seemingly investing weeks and weeks in working to complete a deal with AZ Alkmaar: In the end the Dutch wouldn’t deal at a West Ham- friendly figure, it would seem.
We are still none the wiser though over whether the Hammers did, in fact, agree terms with Parrott himself -who always seemed uncertain over a move to the Championship.
However, every cloud has a silver lining, and Leeds United fan sites and several outlets are suggesting the alternative signing now looming large – as a ‘wet’ loan with obligation apparently agreed between the two clubs last night– might just be perfect for West Ham’s promotion bid and that disappointed Hammers fans might need to rethink their dismay over the failure to land Troy Parrott.
At least, that was the claim last night from footballinsider, who’re convinced that Leeds striker Joel Piroe is something of a Championship goal scoring specialist and perfect for the Irons’ season to come:
“Joel Piroe’s full stats show why West Ham are completing a brilliant deal:
Joel Piroe – permission to undergo medical at West Ham
Piroe has a history of scoring goals in the Championship, having fired Leeds to the Premier League with 19 in the 2024-25 season.
Piroe averaged 2.97 shots – in the 96th percentile of all players in the league – and 1.08 chances created per game, with an average of 4.57 touches in the opposition box.
Incredibly, the striker’s 0.50 expected goals per game was in the top six per cent of the Championship, and his 0.47 non-penalty expected goals per game matched by only 2.4 per cent of the league.”
Lies, damned lies and statistics as the saying goes. Hopefully Footballinsider’s optimism will prove well founded as Leeds gave their permission for Piroe to travel to West Ham for a medical last night ahead of a signing probably today.
If we sign him we need more, we need someone with scary pace, aggression and accuracy what happened to Dju who we were supposedly offered or Dieng who is scouting these players and why aren’t they looking at speed as one of the data points…
We will probably have the slowest team in the league or not far off, Diouf and Solomon have pace and Kante isn’t slow the rest however are average at best.
We score goals because of pace and our best goal moments have happened usually because of pace, Antonio, Arnautovic and going back Bellamy in recent times we have created breaks and had defenders outpace and catch our attackers…
Why do we keep bringing players in on loans with an obligation to buy (Todibo) but send players out with an option to buy (Fullkrug)? We might go up despite him being no good, or he might get a career- threatening injury. If either of those happens we should be able to send him back to Leeds.
Most people complaining have never seen him play, probably never heard of him before. He sounds like a great signing and has a great track record in the Championship
Once again a negative story on here. It’s the same every time, you guys can do better.
How is this negative? “West Ham are completing a brilliant deal’ – the clue is in the headline.
Good solid payer Martin Hes proven Better deal than parrot in the long run
Loan deal where we don’t have to buy him unless we get promoted which should mean he’s been a success hopefully. What a brilliant signing if you ask me.
What about this winger from Norway, Daniel Job? squad cover, or youth team?
seems to be media led rather than confirmed interest, but we have to get a winger from somewhere…
A quality player who only made way because Calvert Lewin was doing so well. Have been impressed by him in the past. More decent business from Koppen.
I’d agree, John, and I also think Leeds are making big mistake selling Piroe and therefore gambling on DCL’s fitness which will end in ‘tears'(as in ACL tears) !
Great signing. Scores goals for fun in the championship. Proven at this level. What’s not to like.