Mateo Joseph and the End of the Road at Leeds United: Attitude, Ambition, and a Potential Exit to Real Betis
As Leeds United continue their preparations for the 2025/26 season under Daniel Farke, the headlines have rightly focused on new signings, tactical tweaks, and fitness levels. But one of the most significant stories may not lie in who is playing — but in who is not.
Mateo Joseph, one of Leeds United’s brightest young attacking prospects, has not been involved in the club’s pre-season preparations so far. While others have returned from international duty early and re-integrated quickly, Joseph remains absent. His name was noticeably missing from the squad list that travelled to Sweden to face Manchester United, and his manager’s comments make it clear that the situation is more than a matter of rest or rotation.
This is a story of ambition, attitude, and potential departure, all wrapped in the broader context of Leeds’ sporting and financial realities — and it may well end with Mateo Joseph swapping Elland Road for Seville.
From Prospect to Problem: Mateo Joseph’s Journey at Leeds
Mateo Joseph arrived at Leeds United from Espanyol in January 2022 as one of the most talked-about talents in Spain’s youth system. Born in Spain to English and Dominican heritage, he possessed the technical flair typical of La Liga attackers, with an instinctive ability to find space, finish chances, and link play. Leeds saw in him a player who could grow into a Premier League-level forward.
Joseph quickly impressed at U21 level, scoring consistently and becoming a key figure in the youth setup. He made his senior debut for Leeds in November 2022, and by the end of that season, had made multiple appearances for the first team under Jesse Marsch and later Javi Gracia.
However, despite showing promise, Joseph never truly nailed down a consistent role. His development was disrupted by managerial changes, Leeds’ relegation in 2023, and the club’s shift in strategy under Farke. With competition in attack, including from players like Gnonto, Joel Piroe, and now new arrivals like Lukas Nmecha, the 21-year-old finds himself at a crossroads.
Pre-Season Absence: A Subtle Yet Significant Statement
Leeds’ pre-season friendly against Manchester United in Sweden was not just a curtain-raiser but a moment of opportunity — a chance for players to stake their claim in Farke’s plans. Several key players made their returns, including Willy Gnonto, who, like Joseph, had participated in the U21 European Championship.
Gnonto’s involvement spoke volumes. He was fit, sharp, and eager to play. Farke praised his attitude, saying the young Italian returned in “such good shape” and was “desperate to be involved.”
In contrast, Mateo Joseph wasn’t even on the plane.
Farke’s explanation was simple but telling:
“Mateo mentioned he doesn’t feel ready for games, that’s why he’s not involved in the trip.”
In elite football, especially during a period where competition for places is fierce and impressions matter, such a statement is far from benign. Farke’s tone seemed to hint at disappointment. Whether it’s due to fitness, mentality, or other motivations, Joseph’s decision to rule himself out — while his contemporaries made themselves available — doesn’t sit well.
And it didn’t go unnoticed by fans or pundits.
A Move Brewing: Real Betis Circle as the Leeds-Betis Pipeline Grows
Joseph’s absence is particularly conspicuous when viewed in light of the growing links with Real Betis. The Spanish club, already home to former Leeds players Marc Roca and Diego Llorente, confirmed the return of Junior Firpo this summer — further strengthening the Elland Road-to-Seville pipeline.
Multiple reports suggest that Betis have identified Joseph as a target and are actively monitoring his situation. According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Leeds and Joseph have already agreed that a transfer will happen if the right offer arrives. At the time of writing, such an offer has not yet materialised, but the groundwork is clearly in place.
From Joseph’s point of view, a return to Spain and the chance to play in La Liga — potentially under a club that plays attacking football and offers European competition — must be appealing. For Betis, acquiring a young, technically gifted forward with La Liga heritage and a desire to prove himself would be a savvy move.
Profit and Sustainability: A Financial Logic Behind a Sale
There is also a cold, business-like logic to letting Joseph go.
With Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) becoming stricter, clubs like Leeds — who narrowly missed promotion last season — must make tough decisions to balance the books. Joseph was signed for a low fee, and any significant bid would represent pure profit on the books.
Leeds are expected to sanction at least one or two key sales this summer. Joseph, despite his potential, is not a guaranteed starter and could fetch a decent fee, easing financial pressure without weakening the core of the squad.
In this context, a sale makes sense: high value, low current impact, and no shortage of suitors.
Farke’s Comments: An Open Door… But Also a Warning
Despite everything, Daniel Farke has not closed the door entirely on Joseph’s future at Leeds. His comments after the Sweden trip were nuanced:
“Let’s see what the outcome is. We want to keep our best players. I’ve also learned to never say never. Sometimes there are crazy offers. There is no doubt Mateo is a player I really rate. We will see how the next weeks develop. Time will tell.”
This is the language of a manager who understands the transfer market — and who also knows how to maintain squad harmony. Farke is hedging. He acknowledges Joseph’s talent but makes no guarantees. He’s clearly disappointed by the lack of readiness shown by the player — and perhaps wary of what that might mean for dressing room culture.
Leeds United’s Forward Picture Without Joseph
Should Joseph leave, how would Leeds cope?
Fairly well, it seems. Willy Gnonto is showing the right signs. Joel Piroe is expected to stay. New signing Lukas Nmecha adds physicality and Bundesliga experience. The club also continues to monitor options in the transfer market, potentially looking at wingers or forwards to complement the system Farke prefers.
In short: while Joseph would be a loss in terms of potential, he is not irreplaceable in the current squad structure.
Conclusion: A Likely Goodbye — And a Lesson in Timing
Mateo Joseph’s Leeds United story appears to be nearing its conclusion — not with a grand farewell, but with a slow, quiet drift toward the exit. His decision not to join the pre-season trip, and Farke’s clear disappointment, suggest that player and club are no longer fully aligned.
This is not necessarily about attitude in a negative sense. It could just as easily be ambition — Joseph wanting to take the next step, to play in a league and a country where he feels more at home, and to move on from a club that’s going through transition. But the way he has handled it — staying away while peers return — has led to questions about his commitment.
With Betis lurking, Leeds looking to sell, and Farke building a squad with players who are “desperate to be involved,” the conclusion seems inevitable.
Mateo Joseph’s time at Elland Road is almost certainly up.