It was last minute heartache for Leeds United at Chelsea today as Jorginho fired in his second penalty of the day late on to seal a 3-2 win for a stuttering looking Thomas Tuchel side.
Leeds looked to have secured a point in the second half themselves, when young forward Joe Gelhardt scored to once again enhance his already growing reputation. The ex-Wigan man is stepping up to the plate when needed, and is looking like the future of Leeds’ attack.
Indeed, former Leeds player Stephen Warnock – who was watching the game for the BBC – feels that Gelhardt is doing exactly what Leeds need him to do.
“Delighted for Joe Gelhardt, Leeds fans know all about him. They wanted him to make that step up from the U23’s with Patrick Bamford not fully fit. What a story that is, he’s a special player,” Warnock said on the BBC today.
Gelhardt will be hoping for more chances in the coming weeks. He’s had an immediate impact whenever he’s played, including winning a late penalty in his full debut.
TBR’s View: Joe Gelhardt Will Leave Leeds Before He Even Gets Going Properly
And that’s simply because of how good he is. He is already looking like a seasoned Premier League player and it won’t be long before the top clubs come sniffing.
That’s not to say Leeds aren’t a huge club. At the moment, they’re probably the best place for Gelhardt. But the standard he is showing just means that those right at the top will be sniffing around.
To come into the team at a place like Chelsea and not only play well, but score as well, is remarkable for someone so young and new to PL football. If Gelhardt continues at this pace, he’ll be a world-beater in no time.
Leeds fans, then, need to enjoy the young striker while they still can.