Leeds United have scored nine Premier League goals in 11 games. A clear indication that the club are lacking in the final third, and something needs to be done about it in January.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has mustered one Premier League goal despite starting seven of Leeds’ 11 games so far, while Lukas Nmecha has two. Joel Piroe is goalless after winning the Championship Golden Boot.
Whether it is the strikers that are to blame, or a lack of creativity, or even Daniel Farke’s tactics as Leeds manager, remains to be seen. What is clear is that Leeds need to address the issue come January.
Plenty of players have been linked. Leeds have supposedly reopened talks to sign Troy Parrott, while LeedsUnited.News understands Leeds are one of many clubs eyeing Coventry forward Haji Wright.
But there is one player on the Leeds books who is thriving, even if he is not at Elland Road at the moment. Joe Gelhardt has seven goals on loan at Hull City this season, scoring five and creating two in his last six.
Hull’s Charlie Hughes would be ‘sad’ if Joe Gelhardt is recalled
In 18 months under boss Farke, Gelhardt managed less than 500 minutes of Championship action. The forward was shunned by the German manager, in much the same way that Charlie Cresswell was ousted.
Yet, Leeds need goals. Whether Farke is willing to bring back a player he ostracised remains to be seen, but Leeds do have a recall clause for Gelhardt. Hull’s Charlie Hughes, though, would be devastated.
“I tried my hardest to get him back in the summer,” Hughes told BBC Radio Humberside. “I was on the phone to him every single day but it’s not just me, it’s the whole team, the club, the staff, the fans.
“They love him. He speaks for himself when he’s on the pitch and as you can see the fans love him and he’s such a big part of the club. It would be frustrating, a sad moment if he did get recalled,” he said.
Why Joe Gelhardt makes sense with Leeds’ PSR position worrying
While Leeds fans might have hoped for more firepower than simply recalling Gelhardt in January, the club is lacking when it comes to headroom. Robbie Evans says Leeds have maxed out the PSR position.
Any new signing will see Leeds go over the line and into the red, according to the managing director. That includes Harry Wilson, even though it showed Leeds were willing to cross the border in the summer.
Should Leeds follow Nottingham Forest’s path and risk a points deduction? 💸
“This summer, we spent everything we could. Unequivocally, we are maxing PSR out this season. If we had gone on to other targets [on deadline day], the consequences would have been seen in the current roster. More key players from last season would have had to go.”
Robbie Evans on Leeds United’s PSR position
Recalling Gelhardt, which is a possibility come January, would not only save cash but it would stop Leeds from having to risk a points deduction by overdoing themselves in PSR’s eyes. But there is one question.
Gelhardt might have all the confidence in the world at the moment. He might be finally turning potential into proven quality. But is he good enough to save Leeds from being relegated come next May?
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