Joe Gelhardt compared to Wayne Rooney after what Leeds United loanee did v QPR
Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt scored a goal that Wayne Rooney would have been “proud of” in his Hull City debut, Matt Murray has said.
The striker was passed the ball around 15 yards outside of the box and managed to muscle his way through QPR’s defensive line and chipped Paul Nardi in a stunning finish.
Gelhardt was sent on loan for the second half of the 2024/25 season after failing to appear all that much for the Whites this season.
Speaking live on Sky Sports (21 January), Sky Sports reporter Murray shared his thoughts on the 22-year-old’s strike.
“He’s built a bit like Wayne Rooney isn’t he and Rooney would have been proud of this finish,” Murray said.
“He sort of muscles the defender off, drops down, left foot, dipping volley and the ‘keeper is just off his line but he stands no chance.
“It always looks so good when they go in off the underside of the bar. “Really good loan signing from Leeds so yeah, from the new boy Joe Gelhardt, it’s 2-1 here.”
Joe Gelhardt has a chance to revive his Leeds United career
This season, Daniel Farke’s preferred choices for the number nine role have been Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe.
While the duo have been in patchy form every now and then, it feels like allowing Gelhardt to make a loan move to the Tigers was the best option for both parties.
That’s because, alongside the aforementioned trio, Patrick Bamford is also among Leeds’ ranks and has also played a backseat role under Farke this term with his exit also mooted.
With the way that the West Yorkshire outfit are set up, there’s only room for one striker in the team and when you have four players who deserve that spot, it makes game time hard to come by.
So, by moving away from Elland Road and getting a decent amount of play time under his belt, Gelhardt could find his form again and perhaps come back as an even stronger player than he already is.
Which, in reality, is likely all that Leeds and their fans want to come from this six-month deal.
In other Leeds news, the Whites could be made to make a “sacrifice” before the winter transfer window closes.
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