How Joel Piroe would fit into Birmingham City's XI if he joins from Leeds United | OneFootball

Birmingham City are interested in Leeds United's Joel Piroe, in what would be a big signing for Chris Davies.

Birmingham City are set for a crucial summer as they look to build a team that is capable of winning promotion next season.

It has been a hectic few years for Blues, who suffered relegation to League One after the US group led by Tom Wagner had bought the club.

However, no one can question the ambition of the owners since Chris Davies’ appointment, as serious investment went into the squad as they won the third tier title with a record points return.

With further funding into the team last summer, there was a feeling that Birmingham could make it successive promotions, but they ultimately fell short.

4 ? ? Joel Piroe would be a smart signing for Birmingham City

Nevertheless, a top eight finish will be the minimum expectation next season, and the recruitment team will already be working on potential additions to strengthen the squad.

Pleasingly for Davies, it’s not a case that a major overhaul is required this summer, and the focus will be on signing quality individuals that raise the overall level.

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Leeds’ Joel Piroe is believed to be a target. The 26-year-old was prolific in the second tier with Swansea and the Yorkshire outfit, which included winning the Golden Boot as Daniel Farke’s men won the title in the 2024/25 season.

Unfortunately for Piroe, game time has been hard to come by following Leeds’ promotion, so an exit feels inevitable, and here we look at how Piroe could fit into Davies’ plans…

3 ? ? Starting as the main striker

Birmingham spent €7m on August Priske in January, and whilst a return of one goal in 17 appearances is poor, he is a young, talented striker who could become a force at this level.

Yet, with promotion the aim, Blues will need someone who can guarantee goals right now. Priske is by no means certain to do that next season, and Marvin Ducksch is at the other stage of his career, and he hasn’t always convinced either - leading to talk of a potential move away from the Second City this summer.

Therefore, it would be no surprise if Piroe joined Birmingham and became the main man up top straight away.

Davies’ approach to the game should suit the ex-Swansea man, as he is comfortable technically, but he is also capable of playing with his back to goal, so he could be the ideal focal point for this team.

2 ? ? Replacing Jay Stansfield

A more controversial decision may be to bring Piroe into the XI for Jay Stansfield, who is at his best when he plays off a traditional number nine.

Some would argue that’s Piroe’s best role as well, as he is intelligent with his movement, and he can benefit the team if he is given more freedom to roam and find spaces in the box.

Stansfield is the major signing under the current Blues regime, and he is a player with real ability, whilst his approach to the game is one that the fans love. Plus, you sometimes forget he is only 23, so there is still room for improvement.

However, Blues need productivity in attack, and ten goals in 44 games was decent, but not spectacular, from Stansfield this season. If Davies thinks Piroe and Priske, or another striker, could do more, he would need to take the brave decision to drop Stansfield.

1 ? ? A change in formation

Finally, and this is undoubtedly a long shot, but Piroe could also fit into a 3-4-3 formation, playing as the central striker or one of the narrow attackers.

That would be a way of getting Stansfield, Piroe and a striker into the team, and that could make Blues a very difficult team to stop with such talent in the final third.

Obviously, it’s not Davies’ preferred formation, but after a slightly disappointing season, he may have to consider changes, and this approach could suit others at the club, including the attack-minded full-backs at St. Andrew’s.

Either way, there will be plenty of tweaks to fit Piroe into the XI if he does join, and it would be a statement signing for Birmingham if they can get this deal over the line.