The journalist shares what she noticed about Leeds United’s Mateo Joseph after interviewing him recently

After showing what he can do in pieces, it was the night Joseph really announced himself as a Leeds player, but he is still waiting for his first league start.

29 of Joseph’s 32 appearances for Leeds have come as a substitute and his level of impact off the bench towards the end of last season looked to be getting better and better, one of which included a crucial late equalizer at Watford .

Daniel Farke has been urged to give Joseph a chance from the start on numerous occasions since March, but having resisted the urge to do so, he will be afforded no such luxury this time around.

The journalist shares what she noticed about Joseph

It didn’t take Joseph long in the preseason to show exactly what he’s all about, which is probably the perfect time to do so with Patrick Bamford injured.

Joseph worked extremely hard over the summer to ensure he was ready to return and hit the ground running at Leeds, which is exactly what he did.

After shining as Leeds’ best player with a spell at Harrogate, he then scored twice in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Hannover in Germany.

The 20-year-old is clearly brimming with confidence at the moment and speaking on the latest One Leeds fan channel, journalist Nancy Froston says Joseph looked and sounded confident after interviewing him recently.

She said: “Obviously he got those two goals against Chelsea and while I was interviewing him he got all sorts of abuse from Ethan Ampadu saying things like, ‘Talk about the two goals again yours against Chelsea?”. (laugh).

“Obviously he’s got a good relationship with some of the more senior players, I really think he’ll have a lot to offer this season and hopefully he’ll have a proper crack at a good amount of minutes and starts.

“Talking to him, he sat down and said, ‘Yeah, I’m ready.’ He came across so well not in terms of arrogance, but absolute confidence in what he can deliver. He feels he is ready for the role.”

Daniel Farke suggests Joseph starts with Portsmouth

Speaking after Leeds’ win over Hannover earlier this week, Farke was asked for his thoughts on Joseph’s pre-season performances so far.

Farke isn’t usually one to praise his players too much, but he certainly didn’t hold Joseph back, admitting he gives himself a huge opportunity to start on the opening day against Portsmouth.

He said: “If I have to judge now then definitely because his pre-season is quite impressive. I enjoyed all three games he played.

“He’s been involved with goals and he’s contributed, not just goals, but also maturity and workload. He came back from a little break, on holiday, then he was in top, proper form and this is the bottom line.

“From day one, he really used the break to get himself in better shape, and that’s always a basement, especially for young players because we have competition.

“Up front, right now, right now, Patrick is not available, maybe in the preseason, to get even more minutes. It’s good for his confidence if he can pull it off like that and he’s certainly on a very good path, yes.”

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