‘Closer’: Jesse Marsch says 18-year-old Leeds United prospect is now getting very near to making his first-team debut

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Jesse Marsch has said that young forward Mateo Joseph is getting closer to making his Leeds United first-team debut.

As reported by LeedsLive, in his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Elland Road on Sunday, Marsch was asked about the young forward.

“Mateo will stay with the 21s. Good video meeting with him this week. Really happy with him. Inching himself closer to first-team possibilities.”

The Spanish attacker couldn’t have started the season any better in Leeds’ under-21 side.

Four goals in the Whites’ opening 5-2 win against Derby County was followed up by scoring the opening goal against Norwich City.

Joseph is the top scorer in the under-21 competition right now, and will be hoping to continue his scoring streak up against Aston Villa tonight.

He’s opened his account for Marsch’s side in pre-season with a goal against Blackpool, but a competitive debut is now the aim for Joseph.

Marsch says Joseph is getting closer to Leeds first-team

The 18-year-old may get his chance in Leeds’ first-team sooner rather than later.

Patrick Bamford limped off in the Whites match against Southampton last weekend, with Joseph’s fellow Spaniard Rodrigo taking over goal scoring duties.

The forward is touch-and-go to play against his former club Chelsea on Sunday, and this could afford one of Leeds’ young strikers a massive opportunity.

Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood are the obvious candidates if Marsch chooses to play Rodrigo as a 10, having both been heavily involved in last year’s campaign.

However, Joseph and Sonny Perkins are the next in line for a call-up, and the American manager has commented before how he’d like to get them involved.

A local derby in the Carabao Cup against Barnsley next week might give Marsch the opportunity to rotate his line-up, and if Joseph can impress for the under-21s again this weekend, he could be in line for that desired debut.