Joe Gelhardt started last season on the periphery of Leeds United’s first-team squad. While many were aware of his talent, Gelhardt was still waiting to make his Premier League debut for the Whites this time last year.
The youngster was a regular scorer with the club’s under-23s, but he had to wait until October before he finally got the Marcelo Bielsa nod, coming off the bench for the final 13 minutes of a 1-0 defeat to Southampton on the south coast. Appearances started to come thick and fast over the winter months and he managed to produce some huge moments along the way to establish himself within the senior squad.
His last minute effort against Norwich City blew the roof off Elland Road, while his work to set-up Pascal Struijk in the final home game of the season went a long way towards helping Leeds snatch survival from the jaws of relegation at Brentford a week later. Indeed, in what was a tough campaign, the emergence of Gelhardt was one of the most positive storylines at the club last season.
