Versatility can be as much a curse as it is a gift, and the task facing Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt at Hull City is to prove that his ability to adapt to a variety of roles is a strength and not something to hold him back.
Despite bursting onto the scene as one of the most talented young centre-forwards in English football at Wigan Athletic – a young Gelhardt was often labelled the second-coming of Wayne Rooney, not only for their north west roots but their explosive finishing – there is one big question hanging over the now-22-year-old’s head as he embarks on a new challenge on Humberside.
Just what is Joe Gelhardt’s best position?
Is he a striker? Is he perhaps more akin to a number ten, playing off a centre-forward and revelling in space? Or is he more of a wide player, drifting in from the right onto his left foot?
That is a question he may look to answer as Gelhardt leaves for Championship strugglers Hull City.
But, speaking to The Tigers’ official website after putting pen to paper on Wednesday, the Leeds United loanee reveals that Hull boss Ruben Selles does not yet have a set role planned for the one-time Wigan wonderkid.
Gelhardt has arguably suffered for being shunted around from the wing to the centre, from number nine to number ten. And it seems, at the MKM Stadium, he will again face a challenge nailing down a regular spot in a position he could call his own.
Hull City spell may not solve Joe Gelhardt’s biggest Leeds United problem
“I’m really excited to work with the manager. [Selles] sees me more playing off the nine, maybe off the right or just behind,” Gelhardt explains, admitting that he feels more comfortable in the centre rather than out wide.
“My best positions are striker or just behind the striker. [I like] trying to help assist and score goals for the team and trying to win games.”
The last time Gelhardt was given a run of games in his favoured centre-forward role, he was playing on loan at Sunderland in the 2022/23 season.
A tally of only three goals from 20 Black Cats appearances did not do much good, however, to a reputation he had burnished as an up-and-coming, potentially elite attacking talent destined to ascend to such Rooney-esque heights.
Yet, after playing only nine minutes of football under Daniel Farke in the first half of this season, emulating Rooney can wait.
“It’s a happy moment for me,” Gelhardt adds, delighted to be given a stab at regular first-team football again. “I’ve spoken to the manager about the plans and direction the club is going in and I can’t wait to get started and get playing.”
Ruben Selles likely to be key to Gelhard’s Hull switch
There is a reason why Leeds chose Hull City over a number of other suitors. Joe Gelhardt was linked with the likes of Rangers and a host of other Championship clubs.
Selles, a former Southampton coach, is renowned for his fine work with young talent. A reputation he enhanced while guiding a largely inexperienced Reading team into the League One promotion mix despite a host of off-field issues.
And, with his 23rd birthday approaching, this feels like a big moment in Gelhardt’s career. Both he, and Ruben Selles for that matter, would maybe benefit from deciding on a role and, should the Leeds loanee start well, keeping him there.
“I still think we are yet to find out what his best position is and how he is utilised best by the manager that is in charge,” former Leeds midfielder David Prutton Yorkshire Evening Post in 2023, comments which still apply today.
“There’s a lot of goodwill for Joe but, at some stage, that potential and that goodwill has got to be turned into positive impacts on the pitch and prolonged consistent impacts on the pitch.
“That’s a work in progress.”
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