Joe Gelhardt told to leave Leeds United after what’s happened
Jon Newsome has advised Joe Gelhardt to leave Leeds United in search of regular playing time elsewhere.
The left-footed striker joined the Whites from Wigan Athletic at 18 years of age in 2020 with high hopes, but has seen his development hit a snag at Elland Road as he struggles for playing time behind Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford.
Expressing his sympathy for the 22-year-old, Newsome told him to depart the club regardless of how reluctant he is as a player his age needs to be playing regularly.
“He is 22 years of age. If he was 32, it might be a bit of a different story”, Newsome said live on BBC Radio Leeds [26 October, 12:01 pm].
“But, you dream of playing, you dream of scoring goals, you dream of playing football matches when you’re a kid.
“Now, he’s at the age where really he’s got to make some difficult decisions because he probably doesn’t want to leave the club.
“He likes it here, but for him and the betterment of his career, that’s probably what he’s got to do.”
Joe Gelhardt should leave Leeds United permanently instead of seeking another loan
According to Graeme Bailey [9 October], Gelhardt is likely to be available on loan when the winter transfer window in two months.
However, it would make sense for the former Wigan frontman to leave the club permanently as he would benefit from the stability that would bring.
It is worth noting that he spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Sunderland. Although he grabbed three goals and assists each in 20 games for the Black Cats, it has not helped him much in Yorkshire.
It is, therefore, time for Gelhardt, whose contract runs until 2027, to bite the bullet and depart the club.
Gelhardt having three years remaining on his contract puts Leeds United in a strong position as they would be able to demand a decent transfer fee for him.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if he can climb his way up Daniel Farke’s pecking order between now and January.
In other Leeds United news, Jermaine Beckford made this claim about Elland Road after what Gabby Agbonlahor said.
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