Alan Hutton feels Joe Gelhardt should leave Leeds United in the January transfer window.
Leeds United returned to winning ways on Wednesday night, defeating QPR 1-0 at Elland Road to reclaim their position in the play-offs.
Joe Gelhardt was not used as a substitute in Leeds’ victory.
Daniel Farke’s team weren’t at their best against the Londoners, but an early Crysencio Summerville goal was enough to keep the R’s at bay, and that’s all that mattered.
While there is a lot of optimism surrounding the Whites right now, one player who will be disappointed with how this season is going is forward Joe Gelhardt.
When he was given a shot by Leeds during their Premier League days, the 21-year-old looked like one of the country’s brightest prospects, but his career has stalled in the last 18 months or so.
Gelhardt was an unused substitute for the fourth game in a row Friday night, with Farke having several other choices ahead of him in the pecking order.
As a result, analyst Alan Hutton has urged the attacker to move in January in search of first-team action.
But is that the best decision for Gelhardt at this point in his career? Our writers share their ideas here…
Gallagher, Chris
Gelhardt must simply leave.
The youngster was an outstanding performer for the Whites a few years ago, and he appeared to have the potential to be a very excellent all-round attacker. He had strength, pace, and power, he played with confidence, and he was making an impact in the final third.
I was shocked that a loan to Sunderland did not work out, even though he did not always play in the position he desired.
Farke now has a lot of quality in attack, and it’s difficult to imagine Gelhardt forcing his way into the side given how things are going.
So, whether on loan or permanently, a January switch must be a priority for the forward. He needs to find a team that will offer him game time, even if it means slipping down the Championship, because it will benefit Gelhardt in the long run.
Realistically, a permanent move may be tricky given that he has four years left on his Elland Road contract, but there will be plenty of takers on loan. Then it’s up to Gelhardt to prove what he’s capable of, and everyone can reassess in the summer.
Finally, Gelhardt is at a crossroads in his career and need consistent playing time, which he won’t get at Leeds this season.
Rourke, Sam
Joe Gelhardt, in my opinion, has far too much talent and potential to be sitting on Leeds United’s substitutes bench.
I completely agree that leaving Elland Road in January would be beneficial for the player’s personal development as a footballer, with a loan move being the most likely option.
The 21-year-old had a reasonably fruitful season with Sunderland last season and could benefit from joining another second-tier club that could provide him with regular game time.
With the likes of Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, and Georginio Rutter at Leeds United, Gelhardt is finding it increasingly difficult to break into Farke’s starting XI, thus a loan transfer away in January makes sense.
Finally, he can go away, get some minutes, work on his personal development, and then revisit his predicament in the summer.
