Why Isaac Schmidt could become Leeds United’s next Joe Gelhardt as Elland Road exit nears

Add as preferred source on Google

Isaac Schmidt’s career at Leeds United is beginning to look eerily similar to Joe Gelhardt’s, a promising player whose development has stalled.

During the 2024-2025 season, Schmidt’s struggles for game time were clear, as he made just 12 substitute appearances, accumulating a mere 71 minutes on the pitch.

This lack of involvement became even more apparent after his shaky pre-season performance against Villarreal, not signalling a lot of hope for this season.

Now, with reports indicating he’s set to join Werder Bremen on loan, the deal hinges on a critical catch: Leeds must secure a suitable replacement full-back.

Could the club’s search for a new player ultimately put this crucial loan move—and Schmidt’s future—at risk?

Isaac Schmidt’s exit looms and has echoes of Joe Gelhardt

Isaac Schmidt has seen himself fall down the pecking order during his time at Elland Road, something Joe Gelhardt knows all about.

Gelhardt was thought to be the next big thing for Leeds, a youngster with plenty of potential they could transform, but now he has two years on his contract, and has spent time on loan at Hull City.

Don Goodman believes Leeds should let Gelhardt go for the good of his career, and it’s thought that a transfer fee between £3 million and 4 million is required for Gelhardt to leave and rejoin Hull City for a second time.

Now, the same is happening to Schmidt with the club’s new focus on strengthening the defence, Schmidt is far down the list. Signings like Gabriel Gudmundsson have pushed him down the pecking order, meaning Schmidt is no longer a priority for the club, evidenced by the willingness to send him out on loan.

This mirrors the situation Gelhardt found himself in, where a lack of consistent opportunities ultimately led to a cycle of loan moves, signalling a likely exit from the club.

Who could be Leeds United’s replacement for Isaac Schmidt?

Leeds United are actively pursuing multiple defensive options as they prepare for a return to the Premier League.

The club is in advanced talks to sign 22-year-old Italian full-back Mattia Zanotti from FC Lugano for a reported fee of around £8.7 million. Zanotti, a versatile player who can cover both sides of the defence, is seen as the top target.

In addition to Zanotti, Leeds were also offered the chance to sign former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is currently at Lyon. However, the club seems to prefer the younger Zanotti. There is also serious interest in Leicester City’s versatile defender James Justin.

The 27-year-old, who can play both right and left-back, is viewed as a potential replacement for Schmidt and a player who could provide significant Premier League experience.