Former Leeds United midfielder David Prutton arguably put it up well when asked about Joe Gelhardt’s slow growth at Elland Road in 2023.
Gelhardt, once the emerging star of Leeds and the buzz of West Yorkshire, struggled to build on his breakout season under Jesse Marsch, with a loan spell at Sunderland yielding only three goals in 18 Championship outings.
Two years later, with Joe Gelhardt’s future more uncertain than ever, Prutton’s warnings seem all the more relevant.
He stated that the former Wigan Athletic prospect was under pressure to turn ‘that potential into positive impacts on the pitch’.
Gelhardt’s versatility was probably becoming more of a curse than a blessing. Because, while the flexible frontman can start as a striker, a number ten, or wide on the right or left, Prutton believes he would be better off focusing on one position and honing it.
That is one of the issues now confronting Gelhardt as he embarks on another loan deal, this time at Hull.
The Leeds-owned teenager impressed on his Hull City debut in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Millwall. He played as a wide attacker at The Den, and it appears that Tigers manager Ruben Selles wants to keep him in that capacity.
He also scored an unbelievable goal against Queens Park Rangers.
Ruben Selles thinks he’s figured out Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt
It remains to be seen whether Selles has ultimately cracked the Gelhardt code.
However, after years of being transferred from one position to another, Hull’s newly appointed head coach could finally satisfy Prutton’s requests by establishing Gelhardt as an inverted winger drifting in from the right onto his stronger left boot.
“I think for us, it can be one of our two winger positions, or he can occasionally be the striker position; he can play in the three positions in front,” Selles says before digging deeper into his ambitions for Gelhardt.
“I see him playing more from the sideline to the center since his physical abilities in terms of energy and pressure are excellent. “I see him as a dynamic winger, but he can also play in the center.”
Gelhardt could remain at Hull if Ruben Selles secures survival.
Ruben Selles is willing to keep Gelhardt at Hull City indefinitely if he continues to impress after a strong start. His Leeds contract expires in the summer of 2027, though Daniel Farke can co may be open to explore offers as his 23rd birthday approaches.
Mateo Joseph has already surpassed Gelhardt in Leeds’ pecking order.
“For the moment, it’s a player that we want, and we believe he can be really good for us,” Selles tells me.
“Obviously, if we do things well and finish up where we want to end up [staying in the Championship], and he ends up playing the minutes and doing the things that we want him to do, I believe it will be something that we need to examine (in the summer).
“That’s when you get players on loan. You need to improve the quality and find players who are up to the challenge.
“And I think he’s one of those players.”
