MOT View: Gelhardt ready to step into Bamford’s shoes for Leeds
If Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is ruled out of the game against Fulham on Friday, Marcelo Bielsa has a big decision to make.
That decision will probably be limited to Tyler Roberts and Rodrigo – at least in terms of a starting place – but we think it has to include Joe Gelhardt as well.
The young hotshot striker put in another brilliant performance for the Under-23s on Monday, using his strength and wiles to win a penalty that he scored himself for the opening goal in a 2-1 win against Newcastle.
It was a total performance from the 18-year-old that drew praise from Ben Parker on the LUTV commentary of the game.
He said Gelhardt was “superb” and ready to be on the first-team bench for Leeds.
Leeds Live gave him a 9/10 rating and said, “Gelhardt was cool and calm from the spot, but his influence in open play was considerable. He is rugged, hard to handle and a real bully for opposition defenders. Given the size of Newcastle centre-backs Bradley Cross and Ludwig Francilette, the fact Gelhardt was able to impose upon them is a mightily impressive endorsement of how well he could adapt to senior football.
“Acceleration and ability to draw fouls is second to none.”
This isn’t a one-off.
Gelhardt has been doing this for the Under-23s all season, and that’s led him to the first-team squad where he’s been on the bench for five games, although not the last two.
In 13 starts for the Under-23s, Gelhardt has scored eight goals and added four assists.
He’s won three penalties and if you’ve seen him play you’ll know why. He’s got a brilliant knack for getting his body between the ball and the defender, and with his physique, there’s no brushing him off.
It’s too much of an ask to expect him to start against Fulham but if Bamford is ruled out, and Leeds are struggling in his absence, Friday night is surely a game that is tailor-made for Gelhardt to be unleashed into the fray?
We believe he’s ready.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Spectacular’ – Phil Hay details extreme lengths Leeds player employed to cut weight for Bielsa