Jesse Marsch believes in Joe Gelhardt ‘entirely’ and is considering the young striker for key minutes in the Leeds United frontline regardless of his age, via the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The American has seldom fielded Gelhardt since taking up the Elland Road helm in March. But the 19-year-old was in contention to start the night at Wolves before the international break, until injury put an end to the potential opening after struggling to train consistently.
In the end, Gelhardt failed to feature at all at Molineux, the first such instance since Leeds hired Marsch. The forward played off the bench against Leicester, Aston Villa and Norwich. He also scored just two minutes after his 92nd-minute introduction against the Canaries.
Gelhardt should now gain further opportunities to add to his two goals and three assists in the Leeds first-team. He has influenced five goals over 13 Premier League games, of which just two have been starts, since the £1m former Wigan Athletic talent debuted in October.
Further starts could now follow after Leeds confirmed Patrick Bamford will miss at least six weeks through injury. The forward ruptured the plantar fascia ligament in his foot away to Wolves last time out. Sam Greenwood replaced Bamford at Molineux and laid on an assist.
Jesse Marsch states Joe Gelhardt ‘has to play’ and backs Leeds gem ‘entirely’
Marsch is keen to afford Gelhardt plenty of chances to hone his trade at Leeds as he states it is crucial for his development. The teenager has also impressed the American during the international break after featuring in a behind-closed-doors friendly with the Under-23s.
“We were considering [whether or not] to start him against Wolves, but he had this back spasm that prevented him from training,” Marsch said. “He has to play, young players have to play to improve.
“I believe in him entirely and when we had a test match on Friday, he played really, really well. We played the first-team against the 23s and at half-time, it was 10-2. The front guys were very powerful.”
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