‘We’re really happy’: Marsch suggests wonderkid is nearing Leeds debut

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Jesse Marsch believes Mateo Joseph Fernandez is ‘inching himself closer and closer’ to first-team role at Leeds United as the youngster awaits a Premier League debut, speaking to Leeds Live. 

You’ve probably seen the footage by now. 

Mateo Joseph Fernandez controls a drilled pass and, all in one movement, lashes a picture-perfect volley into the top corner. You know the kind of goal you’ve always dreamt of scoring? The kind that just fizzes off the laces and ripples into the back of the net? Well it was one of those. 

Of course, training ground goals count for little, in the grand scheme of things. But if this is a glimpse into the teenager’s technique, then Leeds could have another fresh-faced youngster to keep a very close eye on in the coming months. 

Is Mateo Joseph Fernandez a future Leeds United star?

Joseph arrived from La Liga outfit Espanyol and January, and has wasted little time making an impression Marsch. Earlier this month, the former RB Leipzig boss hailed the striker’s pressing, intensity and eye for goal, while hailing his understanding of Leeds’ pressing system. 

And, ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Chelsea, Marsch insisted that Joseph is going about things in the right way as he looks to follow Crysencio Summerville, Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood into the first-team picture.

“Mateo Joseph will stay,” says Marsch, ruling out a loan move for the silky Spaniard.

“I think he’ll continue to work with the (under) 21s and continue to mature and grow. I had a good video meeting with him yesterday, or two days ago now.

“We’re really happy with him. And I think he’s inching himself closer and closer to first team possibilities.”

Mateo Joseph scored in Leeds’ 4-0 pre-season thrashing of Blackpool recently, albeit with the help of a hefty deflection. And he could soon be joined at Thorpe Arch by another 18-year-old striker with a very bright future. 

Marsch, on Friday, confirmed the club’s interest in FC Zurich striker Willy Gnonto. And though the teenager is seen as one for the future at Leeds, a tally of four caps for the Italian national team – and a UEFA Nations League goal against Germany – suggests he could be quite useful in the present too.