Leeds United drew 2-2 with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last week, with Illan Meslier’s 97th-minute error costing them two points.
Daniel Farke hopes that his players who have travelled to play for their country will return without injuries, following the recent long-term injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rothwell.
The Whites’ head coach will undoubtedly be hoping that those stars have excellent performances during the break and bring that confidence back to Elland Road.
Mateo Joseph, a centre-forward for Spain’s U21s, has already piqued the interest of fans with his performances for his country.
Mateo Joseph’s performance for Spain
The 20-year-old centre-forward started the game against Kazakhstan’s U21s ahead of Porto’s Samu Omorodion, who has a €100 million (£84 million) release clause in his contract.
Omorodion, who failed to join Premier League club Chelsea owing to financial issues, has scored seven goals in seven Liga Portugal and Europa League games this season. However, Joseph was chosen ahead of him from the start.
In the U21 Euros qualifier, the Leeds teenager scored three goals in the first half for the Spanish youth team, leading to a thrilling 4-3 victory.
His first goal was an easy finish from close range off Roberto Navaro’s cross into the box, followed by a similar second goal in which he reacted first to Navaro’s cutback to score the back of an empty net.
Joseph accomplished his hat-trick in the 44th minute, eluding his marker at the back post and heading in a cross for his third goal.
Omorodion, who replaced the Leeds star in the 59th minute, did not score or assist in his 31 minutes of play for Spain.
Mateo Joseph’s form for Leeds
Despite being Farke’s first-choice center-forward for the 2024/25 Championship season, the academy graduate struggled to score consistently, with only one goal in nine games.
Joel Piroe was chosen ahead of him in the match at the Stadium of Light last week, and he scored with a header in the first half, perhaps keeping the Spaniard out of the team for the time being.
However, his outstanding performance for Spain’s U21s should strengthen his confidence and persuade Farke to reinstate him in the starting XI in order to capitalise on the positive momentum.
| 24/25 Championship | Mateo Joseph |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 9 |
| Starts | 8 |
| xG | 1.91 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Big chances created | 4 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
As shown in the table above, the former England youth international has demonstrated his creative abilities in the league, with four ‘big chances’ created and three assists in eight starts.
However, one goal from 1.91 xG in nine games does not indicate that he has been in good enough form to lead a side to promotion, thus his goal-scoring performances must improve.
His incredible first-half hat-trick for his country this week is encouraging, and perhaps his clinical edge in the final third translates to club football after the break.
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