Gelhardt tipped to start in Marsch first Leeds United match v Leicester – Sky pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Joe Gelhardt could start for Leeds United when Jesse Marsch names his first starting line-up to take on Leicester, according to Paul Robinson.
Marsch replaced Marcelo Bielsa in charge of the West Yorkshire club on Monday and is set to be in the dugout on Saturday [5 March] when Leeds play Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
Gelhardt, 19, regularly impressed for Bielsa but was rarely handed starts by the now-former Leeds United manager.
While Robinson feels as though the ex-Wigan youngster could start at the King Power, he’s sceptical about there being too many changes due to how small the squad is at Leeds.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “Marsch could potentially play Gelhardt.
“If he has been sounded out for this job then he will have watched the recent Leeds performances and will have his own ideas. But he’s working with the same group of players as what Marcelo Bielsa had.
“Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips are not going to get fit overnight, neither is Liam Cooper, so his options are actually limited because the club didn’t go into the transfer market in January.
“Whether that’s the fault of the club because they didn’t have the finances to do that or whether that’s the fault of the manager because he didn’t want any more new players in the squad, we don’t know that.
“But whoever’s in charge, Bielsa or Marsch, they’re hugely hampered by the lack of players available. You can’t change that much.”
Leeds have lost their last four games and conceded 20 times in their last five Premier League fixtures.
Gelhardt has started just two Premier League games this season and has come off the bench eight times. In those appearances, he’s scored one goal and assisted three.
He’s been an unused substitute more than anything though and was left on the bench in Biela’s final game in charge against Tottenham.
In other Leeds United news, Laura Woods has shared what she’s heard about new United boss Marsch.