There is an issue, and let’s not beat about the bush to think there isn’t. What that issue is, or more to the point when that issue occurred is always going to be down to conjecture and speculation. If the people who write for this website knew, or I knew personally you would already know. Obviously taking into consideration our very thorough evaluation process on information that is constantly being made available to this website.

Joel Piroe is 22 years of age, his family in Swansea is his father who has been by his side since Joel signed for the swans. After self isolation Piroe found himself not included in the final days of the summer training camp in Surrey prior to the Swindon Town friendly being called off by the Wiltshire club. He featured in the win at Plymouth and at Forest Green in what has been a messy pre season for the swans. Against Southampton he showed glimpses of his class which swans fans found encouraging. He has been involved in every game bar the season opener against Blackburn Rovers.

Nothing is lost for him yet, not by a long chalk.

The very sad thing for Joel professionally is he is considered as a player on a downward spiral in his home country of the Netherlands. From being touted as the next Ruud Van Nistelroy three years ago he has fallen from grace somewhat. From the rural town of Wijchen and of Surinam desent his career looked set to rocket when he signed for PSV Eindhoven, however he only really wanted to play for his big local team Nijmegen. The kids from the small town of Wijchen only ever wanted that. For Joel though his footballing ability alerted the attentions of NEC, PSV and Sparta before he settled down to a contract with PSV. The youth international who really did catch the eye in numerous tournaments seemed destined for the top. But it never happened, he just wasn’t fancied by his coaches and managers of the time.

As 2020 drew to a close he was of interest to nearly every major club in Europe, that is if the rumours are to be believed. We do know Everton backed out of a transfer, and for whatever reason that’s fact. Even as far back as 2016 Joel was in the sights of Manchester City, and bearing in mind he was only seventeen then his response was a mature one, “I received a few weeks ago a contract from PSV and if all goes well I will sign soon. The interest of Manchester City, I heard about, but you have to really talk to my agent. I love what I'm now doing." On moving to England, Piroe added: "I first want to finish my school here and I hope to do well at PSV."

Looking back at those times it’s clear Joel was facing a lot of pressure for a player so young.

Sadly expectation never really materialised and he only found the headlines playing with and against opposition of his own age. And this was to be the issue for Joel over the next two seasons. His strength was in question, his ability to see opportunities was also noticeable. Joel however worked tirelessly on these qualities, loaned out to Sparta Rotterdam he scored two goals in eighteen and returned to PSV. Only delivering one goal for PSV it was an early crossroads for Joel. He decided to sign for the swans. Then of course he was a Steve Cooper choice, yes, Cooper who apparently left the swans due to lack of investment. Piroe signed for £985,000.

Swansea is a lonely place when your only outlet is the beach close by to play football on with your father and a friend. It becomes even more lonelier when you are told on the day before the opening game of the season you won’t be in the squad. So Joel did what Joel does. He got on the sand and played football whilst his teammates prepared for Blackburn away.

It seems his initial enthusiasm has been diluted somewhat when he said: “It was lovely to play again in midweek and to get to play in front of the fans for the first time. The people at the club and in the city have been very helpful to help me settle in. Now I want to play as much as I can and have a good rhythm and understanding with my team-mates. It is a very important time for me, and I just want more and more. I want to be ready for the start of the season and ready to compete for this club.” Unfortunately for Joel the arrival of Martin and his team days before the season opener meant this was not going to happen.

For all Russell Martin’s positive noises days before the Blackburn game it seemed a bit strange he would talk about Joel Piroe as if he almost didn’t know the player. After all we had heard for days that he was sitting down with all the players in a bid to get to know everyone as a priority. Maybe Joel wasn’t on the priority list ? When questioned on Joel’s absence from the opening game he said “We don’t know each other so we’re still getting to know each other. He’ll be involved on Tuesday. He’ll have an opportunity to take his chance, as will a few others on Tuesday I’m sure, so it’s up to him to take it.” So there you have it, that’s the response from Russell Martin and it all now seems down to Joel Piroe. On the face of it he will get his chance at Reading, but it isn’t helping Joel’s cause with speculation of the reasons for his non inclusion. For me it’s about the timing of Joel’s transfer to Swansea. He isn’t a Russell Martin transfer, but then neither is Kyle Jospeh as an example. And for all the plaudits Liam Cullen will receive this season I’m sure that Joel Piroe should have been in his position on Saturday.

Joel Piroe signed as an attacking forward who has played centre forward, he is strong, quick and has learned a lot at some very decent clubs in Europe. That experience has to count for something but it shouldn’t be at the expense of others, that’s obvious. However, he shouldn’t also be expected to work harder than everyone else to get a kick start this season. Russell Martin and his well thought of coaching team are just what this club needs, but they will also very quickly find out the football microscope in Wales is always in operation, no matter where or who you are. We will wait and see how this plays out, but it isn’t satisfactory at all, not for everyone concerned.

Photographs licensed from Reuters and © Swansea Independent