Mateo Joseph ‘wonderful’ as Leeds United gem shines with what he did v Sheffield Wednesday
Leeds United attacker Mateo Joseph has left Andy Hincliffe in awe with a “wonderful” pass in the Whites’ clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Daniel Farke’s side picked up their first three points of the season with a commanding 2-0 win at Hillsborough on Friday (23 August) thanks to goals from Brenden Aaronson and Daniel James.
While the Welsh international stole the show with his excellent run and chipped finish, Sky Sports pundit Hinchcliffe was quick to heap praise on Joseph for his measured pass to find the winger ahead of the goal.
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event (23 August, 21:06) he said: “It’s exactly the situation that Leeds want Dan James in with his pace, isolated against one defender.
“You’re right about Joseph and his part in the goal. The ball breaks his way and it is a wonderful pass, the angle of it and the weight of it and Dan James is always going to run away from Max Lowe.
“The finish is outstanding, so composed. But that pass, the angle of it is wonderful from the centre-forward Mateo Joseph.
“You think they’re just in the team to score? No, they’re in the team to defend when needed to, to be a creator and that’s what Joseph has been.”
Are Leeds United close to any new signings ahead of the transfer deadline at Elland Road?
Most Leeds United supporters have been crying out for the Whites to bolster their striking options ahead of the transfer deadline, but Jospeh has shown that he has what it takes to be their first-choice number nine.
The Spanish youth international has so much more to his game than goals and that pass at Hillsborough showed exactly that as he curled a pass into the path of the onrushing James with immense precision.
It was the sort of pass that Ilia Gruev or Ethan Ampadu would have been proud of from the base of midfield. While he will be judged by his scoring record primarily, that sort of assist is worth as much as a goal itself.
If he can add that element of composure in the final third, Farke may well have found his permanent number nine for the remainder of the season, especially if Joel Piroe continues to struggle for form and Patrick Bamford remains sidelined.
In other Leeds United news, Farke has dropped a new transfer update ahead of the Whites’ clash with Sheffield Wednesday
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