It has been a good couple of weeks for Leeds United youngster Mateo Joseph. The striker scored his first goals for Leeds United in The FA Cup clash against Chelsea – and impressed against Stoke.
A 3-2 loss at Chelsea, but Joseph caught the eye with two clinical finishes against Mauricio Pochettino’s men. Then, coming off the bench against Stoke, he impressed – almost opening his league account.
Daniel Farke is an admirer of Joseph and even said this week that the Spain-born England U20 star is deserving of more game time, and capable of starting matches. He is moving up the pecking order.
At the start of the season, you would have placed Joe Gelhardt ahead of Joseph in the Leeds striker rankings. Patrick Bamford is first choice, with Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter also options for Farke.
But Rutter is playing to perfection in the 10 role, behind the striker. Piroe would get the nod should Bamford be unavailable, but Joseph is not far behind – with Piroe struggling for his best form of late.
Mateo Joseph form will have Joe Gelhardt keen to leave Leeds
What it does mean, though, is that Gelhardt has fallen down the pecking order. He was only in the squad against Stoke because Jaidon Anthony was absent due to personal reasons – his Mother’s funeral.
Gelhardt failed to make the matchday squad in the two previous games, the win over Leicester and draw against Huddersfield. In January, he was linked with plenty of Championship clubs, like Blackburn.
Graeme Bailey told LeedsUnited.News that Peterborough were interested, while a return to boyhood club Wigan could be on the cards. He has fallen down the pecking order, and will surely want a move.
He will be counting down the minutes until the summer when he can finally leave and get some game time. Whether that be a loan, or permanently. Joseph’s form will have Gelhardt looking to leave Leeds.
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