Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Wed 8 April 2026 14:10, UK

Joe Gelhardt has shone on loan away from Leeds United this season.

Gelhardt was always one of the players at Thorp Arch tipped for a huge future in England, with many having even labelled him as the next Wayne Rooney.

But first-team opportunities were always limited for the forward, who has instead spent most of his recent Leeds career away from Elland Road.

The 23-year-old has spent the current campaign on loan at Hull City, where he has managed 13 goals and five assists in 36 appearances.

And when Gelhardt returns to Leeds in the summer, if that does occur, then Daniel Farke needs to have some conversations in regard to Brenden Aaronson.

Joe Gelhardt has outdone Brenden Aaronson in the Championship

It still baffles many today as to why Aaronson has become such a fan favourite of Farke’s, despite having offered nothing for months.

But when looking at Aaronson’s stats in the Championship last season, Gelhardt has actually shown a lot more, and it’s something worth noting.

Gelhardt has outperformed Aaronson for goals per 90 and dribbles per 90, which are two key factors in the role that he would likely have at Leeds.

His 1.61 successful dribbles per game actually places him among the top 17 per cent of players for his position this season, while Aaronson was in the top 45 per cent in the previous campaign.

But Gelhardt’s defensive work makes him tailor-made for Farke, given the demands he sets for his attacking players.

He averages 1.61 tackles per game, as well as winning an average of six duels per game.

Could Gelhardt have a future at Leeds?

The stats may suggest that Gelhardt could actually play Aaronson’s role quite efficiently, but the question remains as to what Leeds will do in the summer.

There is every chance that Aaronson is replaced in the Premier League, though it seems more likely that it will be by a new recruit, as opposed to someone who was out on loan last season.

Nevertheless, Gelhardt is worthy of his chance in the Premier League, but whether Farke sees it the same way remains to be seen.