Phil Hay: Very clear that Joe Gelhardt could start for Leeds United v Southampton
Phil Hay has insisted that it looks as though Joe Gelhardt will start for Leeds United against Southampton this afternoon.
The Athletic journalist admitted that after what he heard Jesse Marsch say in his press conference, it was a clear suggestion that it will finally happen.
Marcelo Bielsa only started Gelhardt once in the Premier League at Spurs, despite all of the shouts for it to happen more.
Writing in his pre-match Q&A for The Athletic [02 April], Hay shared that he expects the young talisman to start for the Whites.
“I also thought there was a pretty clear suggestion from Marsch that Gelhardt could start up front,” he said.
“Again, I’d like to see that with Bamford out. A day for him to start, I think, and maybe Marsch does too.”
Big call.
Here we are, it looks as though it is finally going to happen.
Gelhardt was set to start against Wolves after his goal in the win over Norwich, but a back injury stopped that from happening.
He instead stayed on the bench at Molineux, likely still nursing that problem, but then came the international break.
Two weeks of rest and training for Gelhardt, along with Patrick Bamford’s diagnosis, means the door is now fully open.
Hay has been encouraged by the words of Marsch, who could win a lot of fans over by trusting Gelhardt in that number nine role today.
Will he make the difference? We certainly hope so.
In other Leeds United news, Kalvin Phillips has delivered a major new contract update in a message to the Elland Road board