Credit: Breaking Media

Mark Smith

Tue 2 June 2026 8:10, UK

Mateo Joseph faces an uphill battle to regain the faith of many at Leeds United.

The Spanish striker played a small role in taking the Whites back to the Premier League, only to leave and return to La Liga with Mallorca on loan.

It didn’t end well for Joseph, who would end his season prematurely with a gutting ACL injury.

Daniel Farke wasn’t too happy with the striker after he forced an exit from Elland Road last summer, refusing to join up with his squad for pre-season.

Only two goals and three assists would follow in his 29 La Liga appearances, and Leeds are evaluating their squad going into next season in LS11.

Mateo Joseph set to stay at Leeds United

With his ACL injury set to keep him out for the entirety of 2026, Joseph is set to return to Thorp Arch to continue his rehabilitation.

Leeds Live has shared that Paraag Marathe is actually a big admirer of the Spaniard, who seems to have a safe place with the American ownership.

That is said to be one of the reasons why a purchase clause was not included in his loan exit, although his injury made it unlikely that it ever would be taken.

Even with a January return, clubs are unlikely to take another punt on the striker.

Joseph has no way back at Leeds United

As soon as Joseph seemingly went against Farke and refused to return to pre-season training, he crossed a line at Leeds.

It’s been a sad trend at Thorp Arch in recent years, with the likes of Jack Harrison and Max Wober also forcing loan exits while in the Championship.

Now, back in the Premier League and moving to that next level by surviving, Leeds are the ones who hold the power against their so-called lesser players.

Ask the majority of Leeds fans, and they would agree that this summer is the time to start moving on these pieces of dead wood in the squad.

For Joseph, he will stay regardless, given his ACL injury and recovery.

But for the likes of Joel Piroe, Largie Ramazani, Harrison, Wober and Illan Meslier, there is a clear list of players who need to be shown the door.

Marathe may like Joseph, but there is no way back now.