Leeds United have delivered strong performances in both of their pre-season matches so far.
Running out 3-0 and 4-1 winners over Harrogate Town and Hannover respectively, Leeds have also managed to secure the results to match, which bodes well for the year ahead.
Leeds headed to North Yorkshire for friendly number one of the summer in a game which saw Junior Firpo, Georginio Rutter and youngster Sam Chambers on the scoresheet.
There were then three completely new goal-scorers in Wednesday’s win in Germany, as Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph (2) all found the back of the net.
Coupled in with the likes of Joe Rothwell, Jayden Bogle and Brenden Aaronson all bedding in well, confidence should be high in the squad, despite how last season ended at Wembley.
Why Mateo Joseph is the clear winner of pre-season so far
It is quite difficult to pick out any negative individual performances across the two matches, but there certainly has been plenty of positive ones.
Rothwell has caught the eye with his ability in tight-spaces, while both full-back options in Firpo and Bogle have already set the tone for their attacking output so far.
There are too many others to name, but there is one man who has caught the eye in particular across the two matches, and that is Mateo Joseph.
He was undoubtedly Leeds’ best performer in Harrogate and though he did not get on the scoresheet, he did provide a lovely assist for Firpo to score Leeds’ opener. He then netted two himself against Hannover as a result of some terrific movement.
The ‘excellent‘ Joseph is showing all the signs of a proper number nine and given the amount of creativity in the three positions behind him, his playing style should complement them perfectly.
Striker is arguably the position that is most up for grabs in Daniel Farke‘s XI right now and with Patrick Bamford still recovering from injury, it is a straight fight between Joseph and Piroe.
While Piroe was able to get on the scoresheet himself with a textbook finish on Wednesday, it is Joseph’s link-up play and movement that should have him ahead in the race to start against Portsmouth.
- READ MORE: Brenden Aaronson admits there is one thing he is worried about after returning to Leeds United
Leeds’ Olympics decision on Joseph proves beneficial
In a different world, Joseph may have actually played a very limited part in Leeds’ pre-season this summer.
Spain were keen on having Joseph represent them in the Olympics that are taking place right now, with the final due to take place the day before Leeds’ opener against Portsmouth.
As is Leeds’ right due to not being an official international window, Leeds actually prevented Joseph from playing in the Olympics in favour of him getting a full pre-season at club level.
Had that not been the case, Joseph perhaps would not have been as close to a starting berth on the opening day as he is right now.
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