Mateo Joseph, the former England U20 international, has been outstanding this season, solidifying his role as a key player in Daniel Farke’s squad.
The 20-year-old striker has recently earned a call-up to the Spanish U21 team, which is set to face Kazakhstan and Malta this month in the qualifiers for the 2025 UEFA Euro U21 Championship.
This season, Joseph has started every league match for Leeds United, contributing to the team’s success with an impressive 31% goal involvement across eight appearances.
He has netted one goal and provided three assists thus far.
His contributions began against Sheffield Wednesday, where he assisted both goals in a 2-0 away victory.
The striker’s momentum continued in the following match, scoring his first goal of the season in a 2-0 home win against Hull City.
He also assisted in another 2-0 win against Cardiff City, showcasing his offensive prowess.
Originally representing England at the U20 level, Joseph has switched his allegiance to Spain at the U21 level. He is eligible to play for Antigua, Britain, and Spain.
So far this year, he has made four appearances for the Spanish U21 side, proving to be a crucial asset by scoring important goals against Belgium and Scotland in March and September.
As the international break approaches, Joseph enters with high expectations.
The Spanish U21 team has two important matches during this break, which are qualifiers for the UEFA Euro U21 Championship.
Following a strong start to the season, there is optimism that Joseph will carry his excellent form into the national team.
His performance in these pivotal qualifiers will be essential for his career development.
Although Spain has already secured a spot in the 2025 U21 Euros, the upcoming matches are vital for determining the regular squad members for the tournament.
The Spanish U21 team remains unbeaten, having played eight matches, winning seven and drawing one against Belgium U21 last year.
Joseph also faces the challenge of returning from the international break unscathed, particularly due to an ongoing injury crisis at Elland Road.
The injuries of key players such as Ilian Gruev, Daniel James, Ethan Ampadu, and Maximilian Wöber have put additional pressure on the remaining squad members.
Players like Ao Tanaka, Brenden Aaronson, and Joseph must navigate this international break carefully.
La Furia Roja will host Kazakhstan U21 on October 10 in Cádiz, followed by another home match against Malta U21 in Algeciras.
