Joe Gelhardt potentially breaks records as Leeds United loanee wows Don Goodman in Sunderland win
Don Goodman believes Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt was “probably breaking records” for how many times he was fouled during Sunderland’s match against West Brom on Sunday (23 April).
The “brilliant” youngster drew plenty of fouls from the Albion players in Sunderland’s 2-1 win at The Hawthorns in the Championship clash.
The 20-year-old, who joined the Black Cats on loan from the Whites in January, played 77 minutes in the victory which pushes his side into the Championship top six.
“Brilliant from Gelhardt,” Goodman said on Sky Sports Main Event (12:37pm, 23 April) after the striker drew a yellow card from Albion midfielder Okay Yokuslu.
“I’m not sure how many times he’s been fouled in this game but he’s probably breaking records, I would think.”
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Somewhat unthinkably, Sunderland are now into the Championship play-off places, and Leeds loanee Gelhardt has been key to their superb drive into that position.
The striker may not have got his goal at The Hawthorns, but he was impressive in the final third and received a well-deserved pat on the back from Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray for his performance. He was incidentally on the receiving end of a match-high four fouls, as per SofaScore.
But with just three goals for his temporary club, there is no doubt that the striker will want to find the back of the net more often next season, regardless of where he is playing his football.
It will certainly be an interesting one to follow this summer, particularly if Sunderland manage to get promoted to the Premier League and Leeds are relegated to the Championship.
Gelhardt found it hard to impress at Elland Road and was therefore sent out on loan, with his Whites future up in the air amid a miserable campaign for his parent club.
It remains to be seen if either Sunderland or Leeds will want to keep the striker among their ranks, but given his impressive displays, he will definitely have suitors elsewhere if neither club make a firm move.
In other Leeds United news, Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz has blasted one Whites player after what he did in 2-1 loss against Fulham on Saturday (22 April).