Sport nationLeeds United manager Daniel Farke has been navigating squad rotations and injuries since the international break, with several players stepping up to fill the gaps. Despite not being at their best, Leeds managed to secure four points from two matches over the Easter period, keeping them in contention for a top-two finish in the Championship.
Phil Hay, speaking on the Square Ball Podcast, has noted that Farke seems to prefer Mateo Joseph, a young talent who cost the club £900k, over 24-year-old Joel Piroe at the moment. Joseph has been making a significant impact as a substitute, including scoring a crucial goal against Watford shortly after coming on. His performances off the bench have been so effective that he was chosen to replace Patrick Bamford in a recent match instead of Piroe.
Joseph’s influence as a substitute has been growing, and while he has yet to start a league game for Leeds, his contributions have been pushing him closer to a starting role. He has already demonstrated his capabilities in the FA Cup against Chelsea, suggesting that he can perform against high-caliber opposition.
Farke has hinted that Bamford is likely to retain his starting position for the upcoming match against Coventry City, but Joseph’s consistent impact as a substitute suggests that his first league start may not be far off. This shift in Farke’s preferences underscores the depth of talent at Leeds United and the competitive nature of securing a place in the starting lineup.
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