Leeds United starlet Joe Gelhardt named in top 50 teenagers in the world
Leeds United have been forced to heavily rely on their academy this season due to an injury crisis but that has meant plenty of chances for one real star.
Patrick Bamford’s long-term absence has opened up the striker spot to anyone who could take their chance and one who has is 19-year-old Joe Gelhardt.
The Liverpool-born striker has already scored his first Premier League goal away at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea and he’s been making waves outside of Elland Road.
FourFourTwo have named the Whites’ starlet in their top 50 teenagers in world football as the 31st best Under-20 on the planet.
“Gelhardt has more than lived up to the excitement,” FourFourTwo write, “A natural predator in the penalty area, the youngster totally buys into the high-octane football that Marcelo Bielsa plays and looks at home in the Premier League.
“He can almost single-handedly crank the tempo of a match up – and he’s already a fan favourite.”
Play him more
Every time Gelhardt has led the line for Leeds, he has been one of the best players on the pitch and he is always up for the battle against whatever top defender is in his way.
As mentioned by Joe Donohue on Twitter, he has contributed far more per 90 minutes than Tyler Roberts has in the Premier League but the more senior player still gets the nod.
Bielsa has to start giving Gelhardt more opportunities if he wants the Liverpudlian to become what everyone thinks he can at Elland Road.
Under-23s football will only develop a player so far and rare substitute appearances aren’t enough anymore either.
Gelhardt needs to start matches and whether that is in the White of Leeds United, or out on loan in the Championship, it has to happen sooner rather than later because he will want to leave if he doesn’t get the chance.
He has all the tools to be a real star at Elland Road, but Bielsa has to trust him now and there is no reason why he shouldn’t.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites could have a future England star in their ranks if they’re patient with him.