Archie Gray and Harry Gray react to Mateo Joseph’s personal Leeds message
Mateo Joseph reflected on his own development at Elland Road after Leeds United’s promotion back to the Premier League was sealed.
Joseph has played second-fiddle to Joel Piroe for much of the season despite being the favourite to claim Leeds’ number nine role, and has scored just three goals from his 37 Championship appearances.
Piroe’s position as Daniel Farke’s main striker was rubber-stamped in Leeds‘ 6-0 victory over Stoke City on Monday, with four first-half goals at Elland Road which included a hat-trick inside the first 20 minutes.
Burnley’s subsequent 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Turf Moor ensured that both they and Leeds will play Premier League football next term, and Joseph will be eager to cut his teeth at the highest level.
Mateo Joseph issues personal Leeds message as Gray duo react
Leeds’ entire squad were front and centre of their promotion celebrations as Burnley’s result filtered through at Elland Road, despite the likes of Joseph being consigned to the bench against Stoke.
| layer | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
| Joel Piroe | 49 | 35 | 19 | 6 |
| Patrick Bamford | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mateo Joseph | 39 | 14 | 3 | 3 |
Instead of a straight swap of Joseph for Piroe, as has often been the case, Farke brought on Patrick Bamford and 16-year-old striker Harry Gray, who became the youngest debutant of his family’s dynasty.
Like his elder brother Archie, who joined Tottenham for £40million last summer, Harry Gray had been linked with a move to the North London side long before he featured in a matchday squad for Leeds.
Joseph said: “From chasing the dream to living it.”
Leeds need striker upgrade ahead of Premier League return
With their Premier League place secure, Leeds’ attention will switch to the summer transfer window, and their lulls in form this term have made clear that at least one top-level striker must arrive at Elland Road.
Football Insider revealed on 13 April that Leeds higher-ups don’t see Piroe or Bamford as good enough to start in the Premier League, and while Joseph remains a raw talent, he’s tarred with the same brush.
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Leeds plan to complete at least six new first-team transfers this summer, and the centre-foward role is a key area to strengthen.
Football Insider sources have already poured water on the prospect of Archie Gray making a return to Leeds this summer, but his younger brother could be in line to rise up the striker ranks at Elland Road.