Leeds United: Phil Hay shares new Mateo Joseph update ahead of Sunderland showdown
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke will be considering starting Mateo Joseph ahead of Patrick Bamford against Sunderland, according to Phil Hay.
The Whites boss was critical of the striker’s performance in Leeds’ defeat to Coventry on Saturday (6 April) suggesting that his work on the ball at the CBS Arena wasn’t to the standard he expects of the Englishman.
While the German has previously rebuffed the idea that Joseph could start ahead of Bamford at Elland Road, Hay has admitted that starring the Spanish youth international will be “on his mind” ahead of the clash with the Black Cats.
Speaking on The Square Ball Podcast (7 April, 20:00) he said: “Bamford I thought had a difficult day today, Farke said he was happy with him off the ball but on the ball, he was not particularly effective.
“Farke was asked in the presser if Joseph in for Bamford is an option he would seriously consider and he didn’t give the impression that he would, but it will be on his mind now about what to do for Tuesday.
“He won’t want to throw everything out, but there are ways he can freshen things up.”
Will Leeds United boss Daniel Farke axe Patrick Bamford against Sunderland?
Bamford has been in excellent form in the Championship this calendar year, but his performance against Coventry on Saturday was nowhere near the standard that supporters or Farke would have expected.
On the other hand, Joseph has managed to go from strength to strength in the last couple of months, impressing against Chelsea in the FA Cup before scoring a number of important goals off the bench for club and country.
While he is young and unproven in the Championship, Leeds United need a consistent source of goals at the top end of the pitch if they want to book their place back in the Premier League next season and Joseph has earned his opportunity.
Hopefully, Farke will hand the 20-year-old a rare start against the Black Cats and drop Bamford back onto the bench. If nothing else, with the quick turnaround between fixtures, the England international could do with the rest.
In other Leeds United news, an update has emerged surrounding Kalvin Phillips’ future amid links with an Elland Road return
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