Leeds United: Graham Smyth makes new Mateo Joseph admission ahead of Sunderland clash
Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph isn’t “far away” from starting for the Whites ahead of their clash with Sunderland, according to Graham Smyth.
Daniel Farke’s side welcome the Black Cats to Elland Road on Tuesday (9 April) as they look to get back to winning ways in the Championship following their 2-1 defeat away to Coventry City last time out.
Joseph was a second-half substitute against Mark Robbins’ side on Saturday (6 April) and Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth has admitted that the Spanish youth international is growing with each performance.
Writing on X on Tuesday (9 April) he said: “Watched the Coventry game from afar on Saturday and, beyond the problems you’ll have discussed to death by now, once again really liked the energy Mateo Joseph brought to the game.
“Feels like he’s growing visibly. Feels like a start might not be so far away. An exciting prospect. I don’t think it’s as simple as just throwing him in.
“And as Farke’s usage of Gray shows, he’s not afraid to trust youngsters. As soon as he feels Joseph is the best option from the start, he’ll do it. Bamford’s workload is significant.”
Will Mateo Joseph start for Leeds United in the Championship against Sunderland?
There will be plenty of debate around who should start for Leeds United against Sunderland on Tuesday night, especially given the flat nature of the Whites’ defeat to Coventry last time out.
Farke was clearly unhappy with Leeds’ performance as he turned to his bench early in the contest to make several changes, something that is out of character for the German and he may well do the same at Elland Road.
Patrick Bamford was one of those who was off of the pace against the Sky Blues, so it would make sense for Joseph to replace the Englishman. But as Smyth suggests, it is not as simple as just throwing the 20-year-old into the starting XI.
Hopefully, whoever Farke starts against the Black Cats will be able to help Leeds claim all three points on Tuesday night. Another defeat would massively dent the Whites’ hopes of winning automatic promotion this term.
In other Leeds United news, a new update has emerged over Wiflried Gnonto ahead of the Gers’ Championship clash with Sunderland
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