David Prutton ponders Mateo Joseph credentials in Leeds United signings verdict
Leeds United cannot be over-reliant on Mateo Joseph to score their goals this season with new attacking signings needed, according to David Prutton.
Writing in his Yorkshire Evening Post column (23 August), the former Whites midfielder said that while Joseph has led the line energetically for United so far this season, he will be judged solely on his goals.
Listing four additions the club need to make on top of the arrival of Largie Ramazani, Prutton suggested more attacking depth is required to ease the burden on Joseph after Georginio Rutter’s exit to Brighton.
Prutton said: “Daniel (Farke) has said Leeds need new two attackers, another centre midfielder and further full back cover – that is not rocket science.
“You need to tool up once again. Whether playing Mateo Joseph up top brings something different out of Joel Piroe, we shall soon see.
“But in Joseph we are talking about a player leading the line who had very few minutes last season. He’s energetic and enthusiastic enough, but the proof is in the pudding as to whether he can score the goals.”
Leeds United will not be promoted without more attacking transfers
While the addition of Ramazani for a reported £10.2million adds to a forward line which already looks impressive on paper, he alone cannot make up for the losses of Rutter and Crysencio Summerville.
Having Rutter, Summerville, Piroe, Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto still wasn’t enough to fire the Whites back to the Premier League last season, and as such there is still plenty of work to do in attack.
Rutter and Summerville alone produced over 50 goals and assists combined in the Championship last season, leaving a huge hole to fill which must necessitate further arrivals alongside Ramazani [Sky Sports, 22 August].
Joseph leading the line ahead of Piroe and Patrick Bamford does leave a big question mark hanging over the 20-year-old, but the addition of more attacking talent around him will only ease that pressure.
The Whites face an extremely busy last week of the transfer window, and with time very much against them at this stage, it remains to be seen if Farke can make the four signings he wants – and needs.
In other Leeds news, new signing Largie Ramazani’s arrival will help the club to meet the EFL’s guidelines on homegrown players.
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