Mateo Joseph has become the latest Leeds United player to post a message to supporters after Sunday’s play-off final defeat to Southampton.
Leeds were beaten 1-0 by the Saints at Wembley, a defeat which consigned them to another season of Championship football.
Captain Liam Cooper, Connor Roberts and Jaidon Anthony are the only three other players to have done so, so far. In the case of Roberts and Anthony it was more to say goodbye, as they prepare to return to parent clubs Burnley and Bournemouth respectively.
Joseph was a late substitute in the game at Wembley, with the season’s finale a pretty good summary of the campaign he has had at Elland Road.
Once again, Joseph simply was not given enough time to show what he can do on the pitch, with a couple of decent runs down the channel a glimpse into what he could’ve offered from the start.
Joseph sends message to Leeds supporters
Though Joseph will be frustrated that he was not given a single league start over the course of the season, he can be proud of his breakthrough year.
The 20-year-old made a number of significant impacts as a substitute during the second half of the season, none more so than when he netted a late equaliser at Watford.
In his just his second start of the campaign in the FA Cup at Chelsea, Joseph actually netted a brace, sending a message to Daniel Farke as to what he can do.
It was certainly a surprise at how little he was used from that point on, but there is no doubt he can now be considered a first team player.
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Joseph posted a message on Instagram to Leeds supporters as he reflected on the season he’s had, stating how gutted he is the team couldn’t get the job done, but how grateful he is at the opportunities he was handed.
He said: “Gutted we were so close to getting the club back to the Premier League. This team and these fans deserved better. But I’m thankful for all your support and the experiences this season. Time to rest up and comeback stronger.”
Joseph one of three players Farke should build Leeds spine around
With the departures of Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas, this summer effectively brings the end to an era at Leeds. Patrick Bamford should be joining them.
After another season plagued by injuries, Leeds cannot go into August relying on Bamford as the main man up front given his struggles to stay fit.
Joel Piroe also proved on numerous occasions he simply cannot play as a lone number nine, and so Joseph is the man who should start the season as first choice.
Alongside Pascal Struijk in defence, and Ethan Ampadu in midfield, Farke should be building the spine of his team around Joseph.