Mateo Joseph gives Daniel Farke Leeds United selection headache amid clear winner verdict
Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph is the “clear winner” from their pre-season training camp in Germany, according to LeedsLive journalist Luke Duden.
The reporter wrote on 29 July that the 20-year-old forward’s performances against Harrogate Town, Hannover 96 and Schalke 04 have earned Joseph “plenty of first-team plaudits”.
Joseph netted a second-half double in the Whites’ 4-1 win over Hannover, and found the opener against Schalke with a diving far-post header, and those goals could see him rewarded with a starting berth when they start their Championship campaign against Portsmouth on 10 August.
Duden acknowledged the performances of Joel Piroe – who has also scored in both games of United’s pre-season camp – saying that there is a “healthy battle” between the two strikers with the new season approaching, and Patrick Bamford continuing his return from injury [Graham Smyth, 25 July], writing that Farke is now set to have a “selection headache” up front.
Mateo Joseph form should earn Leeds United centre-forward spot
The opening match of last season’s Championship campaign at Elland Road – a last-gasp 2-2 draw with Cardiff City – saw Wilfried Gnonto used up front in the absence of other available options.
However, Farke will have no such worries this time around and can leave Gnonto on the flanks to cause trouble from out wide, having both Joseph and Piroe to pick from against Portsmouth a week on Saturday.
With both Joseph and Piroe scoring in each of United’s two matches in Germany, Farke is spoilt for choice as he decides who should lead the line in a bid to get the Peacocks off to a winning start.
Given Piroe’s general inability to provide link up play on the same level as Bamford last season – whilst being a much more accurate finisher – the obvious choice for Farke is to unleash the best of both worlds.
He can do just that in the form of Joseph, who could prove to be the find of the season if Farke can get him firing on all cylinders – and there’s no better time to do that than against Portsmouth next Saturday.
In other Leeds news, the White shave been dealt a blow in their pursuit of a Bundesliga midfielder after comments from one of his club’s directors.
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