Leeds United starlet Mateo Joseph receives England U20 call up amid interest from Spain
Leeds starlet Mateo Joseph has been called up to the England Under-20’s squad for the upcoming international break after interest from Spain to have him represent them.
The Leeds academy starlet was born in Spain and came through the youth ranks at Racing Santander and Espanyol before moving to Elland Road in January 2022.
His form for the Under-21 squad has been good enough for him to earn a place in the first-team at points this season in both the FA Cup and Premier League, which attracted international interest from both nations he is eligible for.
And now England have made the first move, calling him up to their Under-20’s squad for upcoming games against Germany, United States and France.
It was reported in November by AS that he was considering a switch to represent England at the Under-20’s World Cup in May, and it now seems that he has made his decision by accepting a call up from the Three Lions.
Clever
As a young player, Joseph has got plenty of opportunities to make himself a star on the international stage in the future, but to do that he has to be in the eye line of the people making selection decisions.
Playing in England in the Premier League means he will be right in the sights of Gareth Southgate for the senior England team at some point in the future.
But he will also be playing regularly with the likes of Sonny Perkins and Darko Gyabi for England and Leeds together, and relationships are a big thing at the highest level so it will certainly help.
By playing regularly in England it will have him playing at a higher level than in Spain, and the talent in his position seems to be less for England than it is for Spain.
England have done a great thing by grabbing him early and getting him in the system, and if he can eventually transfer his form from the Premier League 2 into the top flight then they will have a real gem on their hands.
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