With a brand new man on the helm at Leeds United within the type of Daniel Farke, that change within the dugout has supplied a clear slate for individuals who had been a part of final season’s dismal relegation, in addition to those that had additionally been forged out by the German’s predecessor, Jesse Marsch.
Amongst those that fall into that latter class is Daniel James, with the Wales worldwide – who was signed by Marcelo Bielsa again in 2021 – having taken his probability after being shipped out on mortgage to Fulham final season.
Following what was a tough 12 months at Craven Cottage for the 25-year-old as he made just 23 appearances in all competitions, the wing wizard now seems to be match and firing once more on the flanks at Elland Street, having already racked up four assists from just six Championship appearances this season.
It has additionally been a welcome return to Yorkshire for academy graduate, Jamie Shackleton, with the versatile asset – who can function in midfield or at full-back – additionally making six league appearances this season after spending the 2022/23 marketing campaign at Millwall, alongside promising teenager, Charlie Cresswell.
With Leeds now again working within the second tier, the likes of Shackleton, Cresswell and James all have the chance to flourish below promotion skilled, Farke, with that trio all seemingly eager to show Marsch improper by thriving below the brand new regime.
Regardless of these early season success tales, not the entire returning loanees have made their presence felt so far, nonetheless, with ‘Mini Messi’ Ian Poveda taking part in a peripheral position, as has beforehand lauded wonderkid, Joe Gelhardt.
How a lot did Leeds pay for Joe Gelhardt?
Though at present on the periphery again at Leeds, the England youth worldwide had an actual star of the longer term when he initially burst onto the scene at Wigan Athletic, in the end making 21 appearances for the membership in his teenage years.
Amid that emergence with the Latics, the dynamic ahead was hailed by former boss Paul Cook again in 2019, with the present Chesterfield head coach outlining the teenager’s extremely thrilling potential, after netting his first senior aim towards Hull Metropolis:
“He is bought that distinctive expertise to search out house in a phone field. He is such a pure, good footballer. To get a aim like that in entrance of his personal followers was a particular second.
“Lots of younger footballers coming into the sport should not very good folks. We’re simply fortunate to have a boy along with his humility taking part in for us – the sport is simple for him. He’ll be beginning quickly if he carries on like that. He is a younger boy that wants minding although.
“It is a very particular aim from a really particular participant.”
That early robust impression subsequently noticed the rising sensation snapped up by Marcelo Bielsa and co for a reported fee of just £1m, with the 5 foot 9 marksman having beforehand caught the attention of both Liverpool and Everton.
What was stated about Gelhardt when he joined Leeds?
With Prepare dinner hailing the then-teenager as a participant who might have a “really bright future” within the recreation, it had appeared as if Leeds had been capable of pull off an actual coup to have the ability to signal the Liverpool-born starlet on a budget.
The expectation surrounding the in-demand ace was solely heightened by comparisons to compatriot, Wayne Rooney as a result of Merseyside connection, with former youth coach Tim Wyatt having beforehand acknowledged:
“Only a few gamers stand out at 14. Steven Gerrard did in my first season, Rooney and positively Joe. I keep in mind him turning up for our trial wanting Rooneyesque. He scored three in 10 minutes on a chilly and wet evening so I stated he might go dwelling to maintain heat as a result of he’d already made the workforce.”
To be in such esteemed firm is excessive reward certainly, with Rooney – who stays the leading goalscorer in Manchester United’s history – notably probably the most iconic figures of the fashionable period and a participant who burst onto the scene on the age of simply 16 at Everton.
Regardless of spending a lot of his debut season in Elland Street within the youth ranks, Gelhardt was once more hitting the headlines after making his first top-flight begin in November 2021, with pundit Jamie Redknapp lauding him as a “human wrecking ball” on the time.
Since that vivid introduction to life within the first workforce, nonetheless, it’s secure to say that it has not fairly gone to plan for the 21-year-old since then.
What has occurred to Joe Gelhardt?
As soon as tipped to emulate ‘Wazza’, the £15k-per-week enigma has not delivered what was anticipated of late, notably failing to even make it off the bench in every of the final two video games below Farke.
The misfiring marksman – who has three goals and seven assists to his identify in 48 outings for the membership – has solely not too long ago returned from a mortgage stint at Sunderland final season, the place he scored 3 times and registered three assists in 20 video games.
The hope would have been that with the Whites now themselves within the second tier, Gelhardt would be capable of lastly earn a constant run within the aspect, though he has since made simply two league starts so far.
As Farke himself acknowledged following the Carabao Cup win over Shrewsbury City final month, the previous Wigan man seemingly needs to “step up” if he’s to lastly flourish in Yorkshire, having even been linked with a transfer away from the membership over the summer season.
The German’s phrases had been additionally echoed by The Athletic’s Phil Hay, who rubberstamped the idea that Gehardt has not hit the heights that had been anticipated when he arrived three years in the past:
“One other actually proficient participant Gelhardt however somebody who simply, and I believe as a lot as something due to the best way it has been at Leeds, simply hasn’t been capable of observe what would have been the event plan for him.
“I do not suppose anyone at Leeds would fake that the place he’s now could be the place they hoped he can be once they first signed him again in that summer season after promotion.”
Whether or not it’s all the way down to the chaotic nature of Leeds in latest instances – or the participant’s personal shortcomings – it has been removed from a clean journey so far, with the query now whether or not Gelhardt can rise from his latest struggles or proceed this underwhelming trajectory.
