Why Mateo Joseph and two other Leeds United players have not returned for pre-season yet
Leeds United Begin Pre-Season as New Signings Arrive and International Stars Await Return
Leeds United officially kicked off their pre-season preparations on Monday, as players began arriving back at Thorp Arch to commence testing and fitness work ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. The start of pre-season training marks an important milestone for the club, as it prepares for its return to the Premier League under head coach Daniel Farke.
Among those reporting for duty were several of Leeds’ recent summer signings, including Jaka Bijol, Lukas Nmecha, and Gabriel Gudmundsson. The trio are expected to be formally introduced to their new teammates this week as they begin the process of integration into the squad. Their arrival coincides with a series of physical tests and assessments being conducted at the state-of-the-art Carnegie School of Sport, located at Leeds Beckett University.
The opening phase of pre-season is centered almost entirely around fitness testing, rather than football-specific training. The players are being put through a series of carefully monitored drills to evaluate key physical metrics such as aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility, and leg load. These tests are essential to determine each individual’s fitness levels following the summer break, particularly for those who did not participate in international matches during the off-season.
Many players who featured in the Championship promotion campaign and weren’t involved in any national team duties have had more than eight weeks off. As a result, the early training sessions are designed to gradually reintroduce them to peak physical condition. The initial days will see players participating in rigorous running drills and endurance tests on the training pitch, rather than full-contact or ball-based sessions.
Head coach Daniel Farke’s commitment to fitness and physical conditioning has been widely praised, with several players crediting his approach for helping them maintain energy levels deep into matches last season. This attention to detail is once again at the forefront of pre-season planning, as the squad prepares to meet the physical demands of top-flight football.
However, not every player reported for day one. A number of squad members have been granted extended breaks due to their involvement in international tournaments over the summer. Mateo Joseph and Wilfried Gnonto are among those whose return to training has been delayed. The pair recently represented Spain and Italy, respectively, at the Under-21 European Championship—a competition that was ultimately won by England.
During the tournament, Joseph impressed by scoring a goal but also faced disappointment after missing a penalty. Gnonto, meanwhile, saw his campaign end in frustration after receiving a red card in Italy’s semi-final clash with Germany. With both players set to return to Leeds next week, questions remain over Joseph’s future at the club. The young striker dropped to third in the pecking order during the latter half of last season and has attracted transfer interest from La Liga side Real Betis and Ligue 1 club Strasbourg. He is expected to hold talks with the club about his playing time and long-term prospects upon his return.
In addition to Joseph and Gnonto, midfielder Brenden Aaronson will also report back later than most. The 24-year-old featured for the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and was part of the squad that lost to Mexico in the final in the early hours of Monday morning. Aaronson played in all but one of the USA’s matches throughout the tournament, bouncing back from being left out of the March Nations League squad under head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Despite rumors linking him with a move away from Elland Road, Aaronson has signaled his intent to stay and fight for a place in the Premier League squad next season. The American international is focused on proving his worth under Daniel Farke and helping Leeds establish themselves back in England’s top tier.
As the full squad gradually reconvenes over the coming days and weeks, Leeds United’s pre-season will steadily shift from fitness-based activities to more tactical and technical sessions. With new faces to integrate, futures to resolve, and Premier League readiness to build, it promises to be a crucial few weeks for Daniel Farke and his men.