Leeds United fans have been getting excited about new signing Joe Gelhardt after watching him in action for the Under-23s today.
Gelhardt signed from cash-stricken Wigan – who entered administration and were relegated from the Championship – in the summer.
He’d been playing first-team football for Wigan but has only been involved with the Under-23s so far for Leeds.
On today’s evidence, it might not be much longer before he starts troubling the senior squad.
One of his biggest assets is his strength and he used that to set up a beautiful through ball early on in the Under-23s clash against Sunderland at the Academy of Light today.
He found another summer signing Sam Greenwood who finished smartly for the first goal of the game.
You can see the goal in the video below.
🔥 2 in 2 for @Sam_greenwood9! pic.twitter.com/NLCLNMW3Z2
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 28, 2020
Fans were queing up to sing Gelhardt’s praises on Twitter this afternoon.
One fan said that signing him for the fee that Leeds did (around £1m) could prove to be a “masterstroke”.
Another said that he must be a consideration for the Man City game with Jack Harrison out.
Yet another said that he should either be promoted to the first team or sent out on loan, as he wouldn’t learn anything from playing with the Under-23s.
We actually disagree with this. The Leeds Under-23s side contains a number of very talented players and will all learn well under the tutelage of Marcelo Bielsa.
We think that Gelhardt may well get a taste of the first-team in 2021 and we’d prefer for him to learn his stuff at Thorp Arch than head out on loan.
Here are the best reactions from excited Leeds fans during today’s game…
Gelhardt is very very good.#lufc
— Kris Hilliam (@FootyAnalyKris) September 28, 2020
This Geldhart kid is the real deal.
Needs to be involved in the first team or sent out on loan.
Won't learn anything playing U23s all season. #lufc— Chris Randell (@CJ_Randell) September 28, 2020
Joe Gelhardt looks class! – Honestly think picking him up for what we did could prove a masterstroke in years to come #LUFC
— Ben Torode (@BenTorode4) September 28, 2020
Greenwood gets another for the u23's but the through ball from Geldhart is superb 😍#lufc
— Mr P (@GaryPeck66) September 28, 2020
This Gelhardt x Greenwood combo is really working for me 🔥 #LUFC https://t.co/3S4RAqvQK0
— Seb Wassell (@SebWassell) September 28, 2020
He has got to be in line for the squad against City with Harrison out surely (Gelhardt)?
— The Trainee RQT (@TrainingToTeach) September 28, 2020
Can’t be long until Gelhardt gets in first team ahead of Roberts….very impressed #lufc
— Adam Webster (@adswebbo) September 28, 2020
Joe Gelhardt is absolutely box office, this lad will play minutes for the first XI this season mark my words #LUFC
— Jack Pearson (@JackTPearson) September 28, 2020
In other Leeds United news, ‘Wow’, ‘Bielsa will make him even more of a beast’: Some Leeds fans react to major transfer news
