The main problem in Leeds United’s squad right now appears to be the lack of quality off the right wing. Incidentally, one of Leeds’ loaned out players is thriving in that very position.
If United had landed that elusive right-wing target during the final stages of the summer window, we might be talking about a potentially thriving and well-balanced Leeds attack.
But that failure, plus injuries out wide, means Daniel Farke has been short of options thus far, as one shines out on loan.
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Joe Gelhardt’s form away from Leeds United continues to amaze at Hull City
One of the attackers United shifted out on loan was Joe Gelhardt. Since Farke’s appointment, ‘Joffy’ has found opportunities in short supply at Leeds, spending 2025 at Hull City across two separate stints.
Under Sergej Jakirovic this season, Gelhardt’s found immense joy in front of goal – he’s already on seven goals with an assist too.
Joe Gelhardt is flying out on loan at Hull City from Leeds United. (Action Images/Ed Sykes)
His strike against Leicester City has been nominated for the Championship Goal of the Month. He capped off a flowing team move in one of a series of brilliant wins so far for the Tigers.
Winning five of the last seven, Gelhardt’s Hull sit fifth in the Championship after 15 games and are just four points off an automatic promotion place.
What has been Joe Gelhardt’s problem since breaking out as Leeds United’s next star?
Some might say Gelhardt has ‘found his level’ at a Championship side out on loan. And yes, it’s obviously a major step down from bring able to do the same in this Leeds side battling in the Premier League.
Development isn’t linear, though. And Gelhardt is perhaps the best proof of that. After his stunning breakout as a supersub and European ‘Golden Boy’, he ended up falling massively out of favour.
A key issue with Gelhardt has been mis-profiling. He went on loan to Sunderland in 2023 to be deployed in a ‘big man, little man’ partnership with Ross Stewart. However, the Scot ended up injured and Gelhardt shoehorned into a sub-optimal role. Scoring three and assisting three in 20 appearances was respectable given the circumstances under Tony Mowbray.
His time at Leeds since penning that lucrative long-term contract under Jesse Marsch has been the same, though. Shoved into ill-fitting roles, whether it’s up front on his own, or played as a ‘number 10’.
It’s obvious Gelhardt doesn’t have the skillset to play as a nine with his back to goal, nor as a 10 that can play on the half-turn and piece everything together.
The only time I believe he’s been put into a role that could suit him was in the EFL Cup last season at home to Middlesbrough. He played off the right in a 4-2-3-1:
Is that an inside right-wing role for Joe Gelhardt I see?👀 #lufc
— Kris Smith (@KrisSmith98) August 14, 2024
But, the less said about that game as a whole, the better.
With more trust, Joe Gelhardt could have been a right-wing solution for Leeds United
That right-wing appearance is the closest Leeds have got to unlocking Gelhardt’s consistent form, at least to prove he could have been used more during our two-year stay in the Championship.
It’s also easy to forget he’s still 23. Many players don’t fully develop into their best selves until this time, which is what we’re potentially seeing with Gelhardt.
For example: Antoine Semenyo was still a Bristol City player at 23 years old, having scored less (six) in the first half of a season than Gelhardt has already (seven).
It underlines how certain players can thrive in environments where they’re platformed correctly and given trust.
Joe Gelhardt’s Sofascore heatmaps at Sunderland (22/23) and Hull City (25/26)
Gelhardt, this season, is playing off the right and looks absolute dynamite. Incidentally, it’s in the area of the pitch where it’s obvious Leeds need more.
This isn’t to say that recalling Gelhardt in January would be beneficial for anyone. Hull wouldn’t benefit. Gelhardt would be ripped out of a place where he’s adored. And, Leeds might not achieve anything from bringing in Gelhardt from the cold.
But, it does go to show that if developed better over the past two years, there’s a world where Gelhardt could have been a viable option for Leeds going back into the Premier League. He made the likes of Ruben Neves, Lewis Dunk, Thiago Silva and others look totally amateur as an unproven youngster.
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