Joe Gelhardt has often split the Leeds United fanbase. After a really promising start to his Elland Road career, things faded and he was sent out on loan. That remains the case today, with the Liverpool-born forward thriving during his latest loan spell with Hull City.
Gelhardt’s time at Elland Road has consisted of flashes of brilliance, while showing the potential of becoming something great. He showed his quality every time he touched the pitch as a youngster, even earning Marcelo Bielsa’s trust in the Premier League. In the 2021/22 season, the forward had two goals and two assists in 20 league appearances.
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The sky looked like the limit for the young forward. But ever since Daniel Farke stepped foot into the club, his chances seemed to fade quickly. Farke’s first year in charge saw Gelhardt make just 13 appearances. Last season, he forced a loan away from Elland Road and thrived at Hull City. This summer, he decided on joining the Tigers on a temporary deal once again.
Patrick Bamford speaks out on Joe Gelhardt at Leeds United
It remained a mystery why Farke never played Gelhardt during his time at the club. Many fans wondered the same too, and now, Patrick Bamford has shed light on what really went on behind the scenes involving the player and his former coach.
”I am not going to take the credit for it, but one of the boys who at Leeds was one of the best trainers that I have seen but he never got a look in for some reason was Joffy Gelhardt.
Joe Gelhardt under Daniel Farke
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”Now on fire, Joffy, I used to try and help him as much as I could because I could see that he had the potential to be really good.
”That almost gives you a little bit of sense of pride, the fact that you see them doing well when you have tried to help them. It’s almost like it pays off, it is worth it.”
Daniel Farke was wrong about Joe Gelhardt
Since his time on loan at Hull City last season, the forward has proved everyone wrong. Gelhardt is now one of the best players in the Championship and if he continues his form, the Tigers could stand a chance at promotion. He was never a bad player; all he needed was time and opportunity.
Joe Gelhardt at Hull City
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His form make it even more baffling why Farke chose to play the likes of Mateo Joseph and Brenden Aaronson over Gelhardt. What he is showing out on loan is probably what he could have delivered in a Leeds shirt. Ultimately, things happen for a reason and maybe Hull was the exact spark Gelhardt needed for his career. Leeds fans will be frustrated about how the outcome was not different when the player was at Elland Road. Still technically a Leeds player, ‘Joffy’ may still have his time at Elland Road, most likely if Farke is moved on in the coming weeks.
