Daniel Farke has a Premier League-standard squad available to him at Leeds United and it means players that would get in any other Championship side, are only rotational options.
In attack, Farke often chops and changes between his players and might do so in midfield had Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev been fit. He has been forced to regularly change his options at full-back of late.
Injuries, suspensions and now Junior Firpo being sidelined towards the end of January means Sam Byram and Isaac Schmidt will be in line for some game time over the next few weeks amid a busy schedule.
The quality of this Leeds side means Farke can take players out of the team and bring in players still capable of starring in the Championship, with the bench easily good enough to start for other clubs.
Mateo Joseph says it is a “dream come true” to play for Leeds
Joseph is one of those players. The Spain U21 striker is not currently first choice with Joel Piroe the preferred choice, but Joseph features in every game if he doesn’t start, providing top-quality cover.
A player that has shown he is of Premier League standard, having scored twice against Chelsea in last season’s 3-2 defeat in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge. Speaking to Soccer Bible though, Joseph is happy.
He says that despite not playing every week from the off, it was always a “dream” of his to play for a big club and he feels he is living that fantasy every time he pulls on a Leeds shirt under manager Farke.
“Always [had a ball at his feet]. If I wasn’t at school (because you can’t kick a ball in a classroom, can you?) I was playing football. Anywhere, everywhere. Even if we were going to something serious as a family.
I’d be there with my football under my arm. It was my constant companion, my obsession. I had this dream of playing for a big club one day, and now, at Leeds, I know I’ve made that dream come true.
Who starts for Leeds on Boxing Day when the Whites go to Stoke
Piroe has now failed to score in his last four starts for Leeds and while he has been laying on assists, it might be time for Farke to hand Joseph another chance from the off. Joseph might suit away games.
It is becoming apparent that Leeds have plenty of control at home but lack the grit required when away. Piroe is now a player that is deemed gritty, but Joseph’s hard-working style in the final third is different.
Starting Joseph on the road might be the solution to Leeds’ poor form away from home. On Boxing Day, it will be interesting to see who Farke starts but surely, it might be an opportunity to start Joseph.
