Leeds United declined to sign another attacker on transfer deadline day.
The Whites’ only acquisition came at right-back, when they signed Connor Roberts on loan from Burnley, but they were still connected with improving their front-line options.
David Brooks was on Leeds’ radar before Southampton signed him, and Burnley’s Manuel Benson was also linked with a transfer to Elland Road.
In fact, Benson seemed like a real possibility heading into deadline day, after manager Vincent Kompany pulled him out of their team to face Manchester City the day before owing to speculation over his future.
However, a transfer never materialized, and Leeds never acquired that left-footed right-winger, but Friday night’s victory over Plymouth Argyle may have demonstrated why they were correct in doing so.
Gelhardt shows what he can do on the right
Leeds already have perhaps the best group of wingers in the league, and Willy Gnonto’s recent return to form means that anyone who came in would have struggled for playing time.
Gnonto was knocked out last night, but Joe Gelhardt came on to replace him on the right and looked like his old self again.
Gelhardt has battled for playing time this season, but Daniel Farke was determined to keep him in January. The Leeds manager was pleased with his performance.
The 21-year-old looked incredibly slick cutting in from the right side onto his left foot, and he was so unlucky not to score the winner in extra time instead of regular time after seeing a shot come crashing off the post.
With so many players ahead of him in those three places behind the striker, Gelhardt is unlikely to play much in the coming months, but there is no doubt he has shown Farke what he is capable of, and Leeds made the right decision not to sign another attacking player.
