National media wowed by Leeds United star who scored 44-minute hattrick on Thursday — Leeds All Over 11/10/24
Kris Smith
Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph bagged a first-half
hattrick for Spain u21 on Thursday as they overcame Kazakhstan.
The Whites have a striker selection dilemma on their hands
at the moment with Joel Piroe coming into the lineup and notching his fourth
goal of the season against Sunderland last time out.
It comes after Mateo Joseph was initially given the nod in
the starting lineup for the first eight games, scoring one and assisting three.
A home clash for Spain u21 awaited them on Thursday, taking
on Kazakhstan and looking to continue their strong form heading into next
summer’s U21 European Championships.
Joseph got the nod up front, perhaps look ahead to the
summer with Porto star Samu Omorodion set to miss that tournament with Club
World Cup action.
The Leeds man took full advantage of his starting selection,
scoring a hattrick inside the first half with goals in the 15th, 23rd, and 44th
minute.
All of Joseph’s goals came inside the six-yard box,
demonstrating great movement to bury three chances before being subbed off in
the second half, as Kazakhstan staged a fightback from 4-1 down to 4-3.
Spanish outlet AS were delighted with Joseph’s first-half
display, sharing that the u21 side have little to be concerned about going into
the U21 Euro’s next summer, even if Omorodion is unavailable.
They share that the forward has ‘goals in his veins’ and is
more than capable of leading the line for Spain u21 going forward.
“If Samu Omorodion does not go to the U-21 European
Championship because Porto wants him to play the Club World Cup, Spain has
nothing to worry about.
“Santi Denia has in the chamber another striker of
guarantees like Mateo Joseph, who this Thursday led the victory of La Rojita
against Kazakhstan (4-3).
“The Leeds player debuted in March with the U-21 after
having played before with England U-20 and already has five goals in four games
with Spain. Nephew of former Liverpool forward Heskey, Joseph has the goal in
his veins.”
Joseph deserves patience in front of goal for Leeds
Everything that Joseph does for the Leeds side away from his
goalscoring is why he’d been starting for us, as much as his chance-taking has
been underwhelming.
Piroe stands out in that regard by his finishing, but the
rest of the Dutchman’s game represents a cause for concern.
With Joseph, confidence could be a real difference maker for
him in finding the net regularly under Farke, and this hattrick shows he’s got
it in him.
Service is another big factor too, and if he’s getting
chances on a plate for us like this hattrick, then we’re going to see him
explode into life.