Leeds United: FA contacted over Mateo Joseph as ’emergency’ process authorised by UEFA
Leeds United youngster Mateo Joseph has been the subject of an “emergency” nationalization process authorised by UEFA to play for Spain, according to Diario AS.
The Spanish outlet reported on Thursday (14 March) that the Leeds forward will be a surprise inclusion in Spain’s U21 side for their March international fixtures against Slovakia and Belgium, despite representing England at a youth level.
Joseph will be summoned by the Spanish side after an emergency nationalization has been processed by UEFA which will mean the forward will no longer be able to play for any other national side other than Spain.
The FA have been contacted by the RFEF to be told that the Leeds striker will be declaring for the Spanish national side, something he is said to have preferred throughout his career, putting an end to his youth career with the Three Lions.
Will Mateo Joseph stay at Leeds United?
Joseph has had to contend with limited minutes at Leeds United this season because of the raft of attacking talent available to Daniel Farke currently at Elland Road, but when he has featured he’s impressed.
Against Chelsea in the FA Cup, the 20-year-old led the Whites’ line excellently and was rewarded with his first two senior goals in a Leeds shirt to cap off an incredible striker’s performance at Stamford Bridge.
Since then, Joseph has had to contend with brief cameos from the bench as he sits behind Georginio Rutter, Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe in Farke’s pecking order, but ahead of another youngster Joe Gelhardt.
Hopefully, the 20-year-old will continue to go from strength to strength for the Whites between now and the end of the season, but it will be a shame to see England lose such a promising talent before he’s made an impact in a Three Lions shirt.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been handed a major boost ahead of the showdown with Millwall in the Championship
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