Leeds youngster Gelhardt could be ready to explode this season
Leeds starlet Joe Gelhardt could be ready to have an even bigger breakout season this year after the striker looked increasingly sharp in pre-season.
The 20-year-old striker has been on the periphery of stardom, with everyone knowing about his talent and sky-high potential for a long time now.
However, this could be the season he really establishes himself in the Leeds first-team and takes a significant step towards becoming the player everyone knows he has the potential to become.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay said on the youngster: “I would definitely be letting Joffy Gelhardt lose this season.
“It’s all there.”
Big season for Gelhardt?
The 20-year-old, who is originally from Liverpool, joined the Whites after coming through the Wigan youth academy and making 21 appearances for the Latics, departing when the club entered administration.
He joined the Leeds under-23 side and scored an impressive 18 goals in 28 games for the youth team, an electric scoring rate of a goal every 1.5 games.
His impressive performances did not go unnoticed and he made his Premier League debut in October 2021, in a 1-0 away loss to Southampton.
The centre-forward has since gone on to make 22 appearances for the club, scoring two goals and providing four assists during that time.
Last season, Gelhardt was thrust into the first-team presumably earlier than the club would have liked because of injuries in the striking position and looked slightly out of his depth in the Premier League.
However, with a season of Premier League under his belt, he looks ready to start to show his true quality.
The youngster has earned prestigious comparisons to a young Wayne Rooney, because of his bullish energy, stocky frame, and poacher-like style.
With a full pre-season and the manager’s backing, we could see the best of Gelhardt this season.
In other Leeds news, Gelhardt is also close to signing a new contract at the club with a substantial pay rise.