49ers Enterprises at risk of being made to look stupid as Joe Gelhardt stance emerges
49ers Enterprises could be made to look silly as they are supposedly prepared to sanction a loan exit for Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt in January.
According to Richard Garnett of the Daily Express [27 November], an Elland Road exit in the upcoming transfer window is a possibility.
A short-term switch for the 21-year-old may make sense on the face of it, having failed to make any sort of impact under Daniel Farke.
Gelhardt has started just two Championship matches this term, while he has been restricted to only seven appearances in all competitions.
Farke has plenty of other options in attack, but 164 minutes of league action is hardly enough to completely write Gelhardt off.
The England Under-20s international had far more of a chance at this level in the second half of last season when starring for Sunderland.
Gelhardt scored three and assisted three more for Sunderland in 18 starts, averaging a return of 0.45 goals and assists per 90 minutes [FBref].
That may not soon like a great deal to shout about, but that is a better figure than many Leeds players he is competing with for a starting spot.
For example, Willy Gnonto (0.36) and Jaidon Anthony (0.34) both have far less of an end product when used for Leeds this term [FBref].
Gelhardt is more of a central attacker, of course, meaning he is competing directly with Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford right now.
Farke has no reason to drop Rutter, but having only the ineffective Bamford as back-up – assuming Piroe remains as a number 10 – is a risky call.
Bamford, if you needed reminding, has zero goals and assists this season, and is hardly one for the future unlike Gelhardt.
It may well be that Gelhardt is out of the picture right now as he recovers from a hand injury, but squad depth will be vital post-January.
From a purely selfish point of view, Leeds must keep the youngster on their books, even if it means he only starts the occasional game.
If they loan him out and Rutter gets injured or suspended, Farke’s options up top will start to look rather thin.
The key to promotion from the Championship is getting the most out of a deep squad, and Gelhardt could therefore be key in achieving that aim.
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has shared an unseen moment involving Gnonto from before the draw with Rotherham United.