Mateo Joseph is riding the wave of a real breakthrough into the Leeds United side right now, after his brace at Chelsea and impressive cameo against Stoke City on Tuesday. But, should he start?
Joseph, 20, was handed a start in The FA Cup and duly repaid Daniel Farke. Even if Leeds lost 3-2 to Mauricio Pochettino’s men, it gave Leeds fans plenty of hope with our young players starring in London.
Archie Gray was man of the match and Joseph got two goals, lashing in a first after a Chelsea mistake and then a header – after a gorgeous cross from Jaidon Anthony. Patrick Bamford is first choice now.
The one-time England man has been among the goals of late, scoring against Huddersfield on Saturday during the 1-1 draw. Joel Piroe has struggled for form since the turn of the year, coming on as a sub.
Joseph came on for the best part of 30 minutes against Stoke and after the game – former Leeds man Aidy White was asked if Joseph should start, or get more game time. He feels Bamford still starts, now.
“Yeah [deserves game time], it is a difficult one,” White told BBC Radio Leeds. “I don’t think he warrants a start ahead of Pat, but his intelligence – when to drive, when to keep the ball, that’s what stood out.
“For such a young lad to have that intelligence and game management, that impressed me. Nearly got that goal. Lots of things to come from him. But starting ahead of Pat? Difficult to say the least,” he said.
Aidy White says Patrick Bamford still starts over Mateo Joseph
Daniel Farke said this week that Joseph is capable of starting matches and getting more minutes, while Ilia Gruev has praised the youngster – telling Leeds fans that they should be excited by his potential.
But White is right. Joseph is a top, top talent and he should get a start here and there. But with 10 key league games left in the race for automatic promotion, Bamford is the one Leeds must now rely on.