Leeds United Joe Gelhardt
There was a huge shake up in attack this summer which saw Leeds United ship out Joe Gelhardt, Mateo Joseph and Largie Ramazani. The Whites had many plans for recruitment in the summer transfer window.
Bringing in 10 new faces meant that some players in the first team had to make way. Leeds fans were not pleased as the club spent just a fraction of their budget on new attackers.
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In came Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor as the new faces for this season. And due to many different reasons, Gelhardt, Joseph and Ramazani had to make way before the season began.
Joe Gelhardt is currently Leeds United’s best attacker
In 2020, the Whites decided to spend big on a teenage star from Wigan. His name was Joe Gelhardt, and at that point in time, he was one of the highly sought after young talents in the country.
His first few years at the club saw him demonstrate immense potential; his output was not bad either – he managed two goals and two assists in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season.
Former Premier League star Martin Keown compared a then 19-year old Gelhardt to Messi after he made a stunning cameo against Wolves. But then things went left, as he fell out of favour at Elland Road. He was loaned out during mid season when the Whites were relegated in 2023.
And unfortunately for him, when Daniel Farke took over, his situation never changed as he barely got a chance under the German.
His loan move to Hull City last year has revitalized him, and he looks like a completely different player now. Gelhardt admitted last year that playing for the Tigers had made him a ‘better player’.
Since last season, the forward has managed to provide 13 goal contributions in all competitions. This season alone, he has six goals and two assists in 14 appearances.
What are the forward’s chances of returning to Elland Road?
Leeds have a serious problem in front of goal, and their forward is fit and firing goals at another club. If he was recalled right now, he would be a much better option to the fast-paced Premier League style than both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Joel Piroe.
Gelhardt is a dynamic attacking player who thrives on quick movements, runs in behind and he can shoot from range – all qualities Daniel Farke could use now. But on the topic of a potential recall, Leeds fans’ curiosity might have already been answered.
Beren Cross of the Athletic recently shut down rumours of Joe Gelhardt returning to Leeds this season. He believes that the Whites will allow the 23-year old to complete his loan deal which runs out in the summer.
Seeing how he was barely used when Farke was in charge, it is also unlikely that the Leeds boss would want the forward to return.
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