Daniel Farke
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has made it clear that Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford will not be part of the club’s plans as they prepare for the new Premier League season. Joseph, 21, has expressed his desire to leave Elland Road, with Girona and Real Betis reportedly interested in acquiring the Spanish Under-21 international. Despite Joseph’s potential, his record of three goals in 41 appearances last season has led to the club valuing him at £8.6 million, a fee that could deter potential buyers. Meanwhile, Bamford, who recently scored for the club’s Under-21s, has been informed by Farke that he is not needed in the first team.
Daniel Farke said: “Not too much about numbers. Many strikers do not help you because you only play with one. It’s clear, in all offensive roles, we need reinforcements.”
Farke continued: “No, we spoke about the situation before the training camp [in Germany] about his decision and he didn’t feel ready to train with us and to travel to Stockholm. He wasn’t ready to play the training games and we can’t then afford him in the group, which is excited and focused and concentrated on preparing for Premier League level. At the moment, he is not in my plans.”
Joseph’s potential remains evident, but his limited goal-scoring record since the start of his senior career—netting just six times in 73 first-team matches—has not convinced Farke to include him in his plans. The club’s decision to set a high price tag on Joseph may also complicate his departure.
In contrast, Joel Piroe has been making a strong case for himself during pre-season. The Dutchman scored Leeds’ equaliser against Villarreal, showcasing his poacher’s instinct by being in the right place at the right time. Piroe’s form has been impressive, with four goals in four pre-season matches, solidifying his position as a key player in Farke’s squad.
Joel Piroe said: “It feels really nice. Something that makes me happy and of course it would have been a little bit better if we had won the game as well, but at the same time I think it was a good game to get ready as well. You feel that it is getting closer, that everyone is getting sharper and you really feel that the team as a whole has stepped up a bit as well. For me, it means playing well, keep scoring goals and that is how I try and want to earn or keep my spot. Everyone is fighting for their spot.”
As Leeds United gears up for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Farke’s decisions regarding player selections highlight the competitive nature of the squad. With the countdown to the new season underway, the focus remains on fine-tuning the team to ensure readiness for the challenges ahead.
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