Phil Hay tells Daniel Farke what to do with Mateo Joseph at Leeds United next season
Phil Hay feels Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke should “push forward” Mateo Joseph next season.
Joseph was frequently used as a substitute in 2023/24, rarely starting games, while fellow youngster Archie Gray cemented a regular place in the first team.
However, Hay feels that the 2024/25 campaign is the “prime opportunity” for Farke to increase Joseph’s game time – and move Gray into midfield from right-back.
Speaking on The Square Ball Podcast (30 May), he said: “One of the things that interests me with Gray is at what stage he is going to want to move into midfield. It almost feels like this is the prime opportunity to make that switch and also push forward someone like Mateo Joseph.
“He wasn’t on for long on Sunday but even in the period he was, to my eyes looked a bit harder to track and manage. I do think that is something that should be getting tapped into more regularly once we get into next season.”
Should Mateo Joseph play more for Leeds United next season?
Joseph made 26 appearances across all competitions last season – but that figure is not an accurate representation of his time on the pitch – which amounted to just 409 minutes.
The 20-year-old scored three times despite his limited game time, with two of those coming in the second of his two starts in 2023/24 – a headline-catching double against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a game where Leeds fought valiantly but slumped to a 3-2 defeat.
Joseph’s lack of minutes largely came down to his place in the pecking order behind Patrick Bamford, Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter.
However, between Bamford’s injuries, Piroe’s mixed first season at Elland Road and Rutter’s new home as an attacking midfielder, there should be more opportunity for Joseph to make an impact next term – not as the club’s first-choice striker, but as a more regular alternative.
Leeds will hope he can grasp his chance as well as Gray has – if Farke gives him that opportunity.
In other Leeds United news, Red Bull are set to help the Whites pay off their transfer fee debt.
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