Elland Road: 'Big opportunity' for £4.5m gem who's 'never let Leeds down'

Joe Gelhardt has never let Leeds down this season, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The £4.5m-rated teenager has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign at Elland Road and has continued his regular first-team involvement under Jesse Marsch.

It’s generally been a frustrating second campaign at Premier League level for the Yorkshire giants, but the emergence of the 19-year-old has definitely been one of their highlights.

Gelhardt had been on the bench on a number of occasions last season but didn’t make his senior bow until the EFL Cup tie at Fulham in September when he marked his debut by scoring a penalty in the spot-kick win at Craven Cottage.

Less than a month later, Gelhardt was rewarded with his Premier League debut, while his first top-flight goal would arrive the following month when he scored an equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

But his most crucial contribution in a Leeds shirt came against Norwich last month when he sent Elland Road into ecstasy by scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to earn Marsch his first victory since replacing Marcelo Bielsa and eased their relegation fears in the process.

Overall, Gelhardt has directly contributed to five goals in his 13 Premier League appearances this season, which is an extremely creditable return for a player who doesn’t turn 20 until next month.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “With Bamford out, it’s a big opportunity for Gelhardt, who has impressed so many people in some of the cameos that he’s had for Leeds this season.

“He got that crucial winning goal against Norwich, which gave Jesse Marsch his first win in charge and he has never let Leeds down when he’s played this season.“

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