Report: 18-year-old Leeds newcomer making huge impression already, likened to Wayne Rooney

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United newcomer Joe Gelhardt is reportedly making a “huge impression” at Thorp Arch already, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The 18-year-old joined Leeds from Wigan Athletic in August, putting pen to paper on a four-year contract at Elland Road.

While the fee is undisclosed, the Whites are reported to have paid £1million for Gelhardt’s services (The Sun).

Despite his young age, he already has 21 senior appearances under his belt – 19 in the Championship and one apiece in the FA Cup and League Cup.

And despite having been at Leeds for just a month, he has apparently hit the ground running and made a great impression already.

While at Wigan, comparisons with Wayne Rooney emerged, and Latics academy manager Gregor Rioch discussed these with the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“I think it is because he is of similar stature, similar size,” he said. “He’s explosive and powerful. He likes to dribble and he can score a range of goals.

“He can always catch you by surprise and make you put your hand over your mouth in disbelief, so that’s where it probably comes from.

“If you’re going to get the best out of Joe you’ll put him through the middle in some capacity. He likes stretching the opposition, keeping them back.”

Gelhardt made his Wigan debut in August 2018 at the age of 16 before earning his league bow in the same campaign.

Last season, meanwhile, he featured more regularly for the DW Stadium outfit, making two starts and 17 outings from the bench in all competitions.

Gelhardt also scored his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw with Hull City in the Championship last September.

TBR View:

Leeds have pulled off a coup in snapping Gelhardt up, given the plaudits that have come his way and the sheer potential within him, while his donation to Wigan’s fundraising effort shows just what an altruistic character he is.

If he does get senior game time for Leeds this season, it’ll probably be in the cups to begin with, perhaps with a view to substitute appearances off the bench later in the season.

Nonetheless, with a great youth setup at Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa – who is eager to give youth a chance – at the helm of the senior team, it’ll be great to see how Gelhardt progresses at Thorp Arch.