National team ‘race’ for Leeds youngster ‘could be on’ ahead of U20 WC – FA could ‘hurry’ to try and convince him

Leeds United youngster Mateo Joseph is today highlighted in a story from Spanish outlet El Diario Montanes.

The reason isn’t only the first appearances he’s been having in the Elland Road first team, but also because the ‘race could be on’ for the national teams he is eligible to play for.

Joseph was born in Spain and stayed in his home country until he was 18, when Leeds bought him from Espanyol’s academy.

It turns out that since his father is English, that allows him to play for England as well, while he could also choose Antigua and Barbuda due to ‘family roots’.

El Diario Montanes writes that the two major federations, the FA and the RFEF, had already been following the player in the youth ranks, and with him being part of the Whites’ first team, they could now ‘hurry’ to try to convince him of playing for them with the U20 World Cup around the corner

However, it’s claimed that the player is in no rush to choose a national team to play for, and will take his time to make a decision, since he has yet to represent anyone, even at youth level.

So far, Joseph has played for Leeds in three games.

He made his debut in an EFL Cup clash against Wolves in November, where he featured for 90 minutes, then soon entered the pitch at the end of a Premier League clash against Tottenham.

This year, he also played against Cardiff as a sub in their FA Cup match.