In the summer, Leeds United’s Joe Gelhardt made the sensible decision to return to Hull City on loan after spending the second half of last season with the Tigers. It’s paying off.
Having played less than 500 minutes during Daniel Farke’s first 18 months at Leeds, Gelhardt opted to go on loan for the second time in January and chose Hull. He played a part in Hull’s Championship survival.
Five goals in 20 games saw Hull fans adore him and a deal was made for Gelhardt to return on loan to Hull for an entire season, the first time Gelhardt has left Leeds on loan for an entire year. It’s working.
Playing in a variety of positions, whether that be on the right wing or behind the striker, Gelhardt now has six goals and assists in 11 games. Two of those involvements came on Tuesday night, against Leicester.
Joe Gelhardt scores against Leicester.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Going into the 2025-26 Championship season, Leicester were among the favourites to jump back into the Premier League. But actually, all three relegated sides have struggled to dominate despite parachute fees.
On Tuesday night, Hull beat Leicester at home, 2-1 and Gelhardt not only scored the winner, but it was his cross that broke the deadlock. His cross allowed Liam Millar to score, before netting a goal of his own.
The Hull Daily Mail handed Gelhardt a rating of 8.5/10 for his display, even if he did get booked for diving in the second half: “Terrific cross to open the scoring. Turned in the second, which capped a fine half.
“His tracking back in added time to win his side a free-kick was crucial. Booked in the second period for what the referee felt was a dive inside the box. Superb display, even if he did run out of gas late on.”
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Only Harry Gray has a better output than Gelhardt this season
No current Leeds player can come close to six goals and assists this season. Sean Longstaff has two, Noah Okafor has two goals of his own, but Gelhardt is head and shoulders above the rest for involvements.
Harry Gray has nine goals and assists for Leeds’ U21 side so far but a hip injury has limited the 17-year-old in recent weeks. But of course, Gray is only playing U21 of reserve team football at this moment.
Others out on loan do not compare to Gelhardt’s stats. Mateo Joseph’s brace for Mallorca on Saturday takes him to three goals and assists this season, but for those on the Leeds books, Gelhardt is at the top.