Mateo Joseph called out as 'not acceptable' verdict emerges at Leeds United
Mateo Joseph must improve his goals-per-game ratio to prove he can fire Leeds United to promotion, Lee Chapman has said.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post (15 January), Chapman didn't hold back when assessing the 21-year-old's record in front of goal, after Joseph was billed as the Whites' breakout star this season.
The Spain Under-21s international has managed just two goals in 26 league appearances so far this term, and Chapman said Joseph is now of an age where he needs to be hitting form regularly.
He said: "He's got to be averaging one in two, one in two and a half games. I think this season he's got two goals, in 26 games, which is not good enough for a team that wants to get promotion this year.
"He's got to really up that average big time – for a top team that wants to win things it's not acceptable.
"You can't say he's a 17, 18-year-old, and you've got to give him time. He has to be doing it now, 21 years onwards you have to be hitting the target.
"You have to be scoring 20 plus goals a season if you want to be a striker in a top side."
Time running out for Mateo Joseph to impress at Leeds United
As things stand in the Championship table, things are good at Elland Road, with United a point clear of the chasing pack at the summit and on course to seal their Premier League return at the second attempt.
However, all is not well in the Peacocks' striking department, and Chapman – having fired United to promotion and the old First Division title in 1990 and 1992 respectively – can easily see this is the case.
Joe Gelhardt has joined Hull for the rest of the season, while Patrick Bamford's latest injury is yet another setback for United's long-time number nine, leaving just Joseph and Joel Piroe to choose from.
Though Joseph was billed as the player to spearhead the Whites' promotion-winning attack this term, it's Piroe who has been by far the more prolific striker for Daniel Farke's side, scoring 10 goals already.
Piroe's overall game may not be as effective in build-up or the press as Joseph's is, but when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net, the Spaniard is yet to really prove he's got what it takes long-term.
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