Mateo Joseph issued Leeds United advice amid ongoing frustrations
Mateo Joseph has had a breakthrough season at Leeds United in many respects, having been entrusted with a fair amount of game time.
Daniel Farke clearly holds the young Spaniard in exceptional esteem, recognising his impact on a Premier League-chasing side and handling all the pressure that comes with it.
Joseph is also competing with Joel Piroe – one of the leading marksmen in the Championship – for minutes on the pitch, and few can argue with Piroe’s place in the side given his contribution this campaign.
Joseph pushed by Darke to keep learning fast
Joseph has to learn to take the heat and keep pursuing goals and assists while getting his chance at Leeds United, according to Ian Darke.
The TV commentator and regular expert contributor exclusively told MOT Leeds News that Piroe’s place in the team is justified after the way he has performed this season, with Joseph having not yet started a league match in 2025.
Piroe was initially cast aside to the bench in favour of Joseph towards the start of the campaign, but the Spain Under-21 star is learning key attributes to his game in an environment of non-negotiable promotion to the top flight.
Joseph – who has three goals and three assists in 35 appearances – has also attracted admirers on the continent, with Real Betis having launched a £10million bid for the 21-year-old late in the January transfer window which was quickly rebuffed.
“I think if Joseph is going to be a top professional footballer, he needs to be fine in this kind of pressure environment. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen is what I would say to any player,” Darke explained.
“He’s got to learn quick, and I’m sure he’s got big ambitions. He shouldn’t be in any way disappointed – he just happens to have someone a bit more experienced and delivering a bit more ahead of him.”
Leeds United doing all the right things, but work still to do
Piroe and his teammates are delivering at the right time for Leeds United, who are demonstrating consistency and tenacity at a time when Farke has clearly figured out his best team.
The frontman is now joint-top scorer in the Championship alongside Norwich City’s Borja Sainz on 15 goals, having only been on eight when Sainz scored his last goal in late November.
| POS | Championship top scorers 2024-25 | Goals | Assists |
| 1 | Joel Piroe (Leeds United) | 15 | 6 |
| 2 | Borja Sainz (Norwich City) | 15 | 4 |
| 3 | Josh Maja (West Brom) | 12 | 2 |
| 4 | Callum Robinson (Cardiff City) | 12 | 1 |
| 5 | Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) | 12 | 1 |
| 6 | Josh Sargent (Norwich City) | 11 | 5 |
Farke and Leeds will take a steep learning curve from last season, when they slowed down at a crucial time and had to settle for a 90-point play-off place.
Dramatic wins over promotion rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United have put the Whites firmly in the driving seat, and every player in the squad will be required in some capacity between now and May.