Mateo Joseph, a Spanish Under-21 international, struck the attention in 2024 and has surged ahead of Joe Gelhardt in the pecking order for a Leeds United starting place.
After three lengthy, goalless hours at Elland Road, Daniel Farke may change his front line again for the trip to Middlesbrough. Joel Piroe failed his tryout after replacing Patrick Bamford in the attacking lineup against Blackburn Rovers.
Will Farke turn to Bamford in a must-win battle at the Riverside? The clamour for Mateo Joseph to make his league debut becomes stronger by the week.
Archie Gray’s breakout season of 2023/24 will be remembered forever, but Joseph has had his moments as well. He scored twice against Chelsea in the FA Cup. Lively cameos from the bench at Watford and Coventry City. Scoring for Spain’s Under-21 team. Joseph has experienced a meteoric rise.
Is there more to come from Joseph? Oh, absolutely. He is still in the process of developing himself.
However, it is undeniable that Joseph has surpassed Joe Gelhardt in the pecking order for a starting place. The competition for places on the front line is tough, and Gelhardt has been left out of the matchday squad twice since the international break.
Gelhardt has struggled for playing time under Daniel Farke, recording only two Championship starts. The dynamic forward has only scored once in 11 games, but the majority of his appearances have come from the bench.
Celtic, Rangers, West Bromwich Albion, and Plymouth Argyle were reportedly interested in signing Gelhardt during the January transfer window. Farke made it apparent that he had no intention of letting Gelhardt leave, and the player stayed put.
Regardless of whether division United plays in next season, a decision on Gelhardt’s future will need to be taken this summer. Gelhardt, who will be 22 next month, is under contract until 2027.
However, at his age, he should be playing regular first-team football. Gelhardt may be able to accomplish this only by leaving Elland Road for new pastures.
