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.
Read more: Michael Skubala's first Leeds United U21 side predicted as Sonny Perkins and Archie Gray feature
However, as he approaches his second Premier League season in the Whites’ first-team, it’s clear Gelhardt is now a key man within Jesse Marsch’s squad. The 20-year-old is no longer considered to be a rookie trying to edge his way into the senior picture, instead he is a vital figure in the dressing room and one that seems to be improving week on week.
He has been heavily involved in pre-season so far, sharing Marsch’s lone striker role with Patrick Bamford. He started Leeds’ 4-0 win over Blackpool and picked up plaudits for the way he set up Rodrigo for the club’s third goal at the LNER Community Stadium in York.
The former Wigan man then claimed a goal Down Under, nodding home a Dan James cross as Leeds kicked off their tour with a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar in Gold Coast. He wasn’t used against Aston Villa due to some minor soreness, but he emerged at half-time against Crystal Palace in Perth and was arguably Leeds’ most dangerous man as he forced Vicente Guaita into a couple of fine saves.
Latching onto a perfectly weighted Sam Greenwood pass, he saw his chip turned wide by the Palace custodian and in the final few minutes of the contest, a curling effort from a tight angle was tipped around the post. It’s not hard to see why Marsch has placed so much trust in him since his appointment in February and as the new season approaches, he’ll be looking to the youngster, who is close to agreeing a new long-term deal at Elland Road, with regularity.
Gelhardt has displayed growth off the field, too, coming out of his shell and speaking maturely and confidently both to the press and the public. The Liverpudlian presented himself well on more than one occasion at fan events Down Under and when he was asked about his targets for the year, he gave a level-headed response.
"I just go with the flow and take it game by game,” he told the club’s Youtube channel. “Like any other player, I want to score more goals and help the team try and get as high in the league table as possible."
Should Gelhardt continue on his current trajectory he should have no problem bettering his tally of two goals last season and while it’s tough to read into pre-season showings, it’s clear Leeds have a man who is ready to take the next step in his fledging career.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United's loanees aiming to prove a point as Championship prepares for kick off
Leeds United stars aiming to give Jesse Marsch food for thought against Cagliari
Leeds United's expected line-up against Cagliari as Rodrigo role and left-back choice explained
Jesse Marsch's Leeds United left-back options as head coach ponders Premier League selection
Cagliari clash key for Leeds United's Patrick Bamford in bid to leave injury woes behind
