Daniel Farke may sign off on another Leeds United loan exit as Mateo Joseph development emerges
Daniel Farke could well be set to sign off on another Leeds United loan exit in January after admitting he had no choice but to drop youngster Mateo Joseph to the Under-21s.
The 20-year-old sensation played and scored in matches against Hertha Berlin Under-21s and Liverpool Under-21s, who he also grabbed an assist in a 2-2 draw in Premier League 2 on Sunday (29 October).
Joseph hasn’t featured for the Leeds United first-team yet this season, after impressing coaches and Farke during the club’s pre-season tour of the US in July and only returned to action this past week.
And Farke, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post (1 November) has shared that Joseph needed to play those games to get some match rhythm.
He said: “Once we have a bit tricky schedule and we play all three days, we are careful to send too many players into the U21s.
“Mateo Joseph desperately needed game-time. We make a decision day-to-day.
“I think it’s important with those players likely to be involved in first-team games, to be a bit more careful with game-time in 21s.
“We have to make pragmatic decisions.”
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road Podcast on 20 July 5(3m:15sec), journalist Graham Smyth reported that Joseph could be set for first-team minutes this season while youth teammate Sonny Perkins could be the one to head out on loan.
In a piece for the Yorkshire Evening Post (21 July), Smyth reiterated his stance, writing that the 19-year-old wonderkid is expected to step up and play more senior minutes this term after being heavily involved in Farke’s plans.
However, due to injuries, that haven’t happened yet, Farke’s decision to send him back to the under-21s is justified.
It would be unwise to reintegrate the youngster in such a gruelling Championship fixture list and it’s clear Joseph still needs game time and room to develop further but that may have to be away from the first-team group in the meantime.
The Whites have several players out on loan right now, including the likes of Brendan Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Sam Greenwood and Max Wober but those are down to the club’s plight in the Championship and with a view to potential permanent sales.
It’s time Farke signs off on a loan deal which makes perfect sense for all parties involved to ensure that Joseph gets the best amount of coaching, attention and game-time he needs to develop into the world-beater Leeds United fans know he can be.
Last term, he scored 15 goals in 19 Premier League 2 appearances while also playing three times in the Premier League as a substitute.
Leeds were in a desperate state up front last season and things are a lot better this term due to Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter which makes his potential chances in the first team quite limited.
For that reason, Farke must certainly green-light another loan exit at Elland Road in January. It will be a great move for the youngster, especially with Piroe, Rutter and Patrick Bamford to choose from for Farke.
In other Leeds United news, one big-name player at Elland Road could be set to be glued to the bench following Farke’s latest injury update.