Phil Hay: Joe Gelhardt could be dropped for Leeds United clash v Brighton
Leeds youngster Joe Gelhardt could miss out on a spot in the starting lineup against Brighton, according to Phil Hay.
The 19-year-old made his first Premier League start against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and was one of the Whites’ standout players in a 2-1 defeat.
With Raphinha and Rodrigo available again after injury, Marcelo Bielsa will have an attacking selection dilemma at the Amex Stadium.
On his matchday blog for The Athletic, Hay suggested that it could be Gelhardt who loses his place.
He wrote: “My gut feeling is that Gelhardt will drop out but he played well enough last weekend to deserve another start and [Patrick] Bamford isn’t ready.”
Selection dilemma
You certainly do not envy Marcelo Bielsa picking the team today as he is going to have to leave out at least one attacking player who will have expected to start.
Gelhardt was not the only one who impressed against Spurs last weekend, with Dan James scoring his first Leeds goal and Jack Harrison providing the assist.
In normal circumstances, those three would keep their place, but the returning Raphinha and Rodrigo also merit a start.
The Brazilian had scored two in two games going into the international break earlier this month, while the Spaniard notched two in three.
One can see why Gelhardt could be the one to start on the bench, as he is still raw and Bielsa may turn to players that he knows he can trust.
That would nonetheless be disappointing for the teenager who will want to build on his performance last week, and for supporters, who were excited by his energy and drive.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites must find a way to stop a player who seems to always score against them.