Joe Gelhardt was given the last few minutes as a substitute during Leeds United’s 4-0 win over Swansea City last night – but he was made to wait as the Whites kept dominating possession.
We have seen a bit more of Gelhardt in the last couple of weeks. The 21-year-old came off the bench with 20 minutes of normal time at Plymouth in the replay, meaning he got nearly an hour with extra time.
Then, with Leeds cruising to a 4-0 win on Tuesday night and Joel Piroe starting due to Patrick Bamford’s injury in the warm-up – which Daniel Farke cleared up as minor – Gelhardt was called to be subbed on.
But, the youngster was made to wait in the rain alongside the fourth official for a while as Leeds cruised to a 4-0 win – with the Whites keeping the ball. It meant it was a while before the ball went out of play.
When Gelhardt did finally come on, it was on the 87th minute. YEP reporter Joe Donnohue reports of how Gelhardt kept looking back at Liam Cooper and Charlie Cresswell, and laughing at the situation.
What Joe Gelhardt did while waiting to come on for Leeds
Poor Joffy. Not only was he made to wait, but he had to do so in the rain and for the prize of just three minutes of normal time in a game that had lost its pace – with the result a formality. He is on the fringes.
Realistically, Gelhardt’s long-term future is away from Leeds. He is some way down the pecking order and given the form of those ahead of him, it looks unlikely he will be breaking into the team at any point.
But, he is clearly a player of supreme talent and one that will have a bright future. The chances are that come the summer, Gelhardt will leave Elland Road – whether that is on loan, or on a permanent basis.
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