SAD NEWS: He was Really Under Utilised by “DANIEL FARKE

Leeds United have a track record of nurturing young talent, and one promising forward who was underutilized during the recent run-in is Mateo Joseph.

While the likes of Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, and Joel Piroe were regulars in Daniel Farke’s attacking ranks, players like Joseph and Joe Gelhardt were retained by the club this summer, allowing other youngsters like Sonny Perkins and Sam Greenwood to head out on loan instead.

Joseph and Gelhardt share similarities in their respective journeys at Leeds so far.

Just as Gelhardt’s first goal came in a 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in 2022 under Marcelo Bielsa, Joseph replicated the feat almost two years later, scoring a brace in Leeds’ 3-2 FA Cup loss to Chelsea.

Many expected this to be a turning point for Joseph to earn more minutes, but Farke stuck with the tried-and-tested options of Bamford or Piroe alongside Rutter up front.

The 20-year-old Joseph possesses a well-rounded skill set for a modern striker, including finishing ability, running the channels, linking play, holding up the ball, and excelling in one-on-one situations.

His displays in the FA Cup ties against Plymouth and Chelsea caught the eye, showcasing his attributes.

However, Joseph found himself strangely left out against Huddersfield but then impressed again as a substitute against Stoke City, nearly scoring and helping to relieve pressure.

While it was always unlikely for Joseph to displace the crucial Bamford regularly, he took his chances in the cup games and cameos to impress Farke.

However, his end-of-season game time was nowhere near enough for a player needing development and learning.

Joseph’s substitute appearances were often limited to just a few minutes, denying him a real opportunity to make an impact.

A late goal against Watford was the best he could muster, but he showcased his talent leading the line and stretching defenses in the playoff final against Southampton.

Moving forward, Joseph needs to be utilized more regularly by Farke next season in the Championship, with increased starts, or head out on loan to avoid stagnating his growth after a season where his playing time was limited.