Leeds United U-23 star Joe Gelhardt is the most likely prospect at the club to break into the senior squad for next season.
According to the Athletic, the former Wigan attacker is ‘probably the one’ academy player who has the best chance of being part of Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team plans.
The youngster, who joined Leeds last season from the Latics, starred for the club at youth level last season.
Gelhardt hit 11 goals in 17 games. The striker was also named on the bench for the Leeds first-team on numerous occasions last season.
However, the 19-year-old never stepped foot on the pitch. Patrick Bamford was the established starting striker, with Rodrigo occasionally filling in for the England attacker.
Indeed, the Liverpool-born forward is one of many exciting talents who could make their Leeds debut next season. Sam Greenwood and Lewis Bate are also two players who could potentially feature under Bielsa.
With Leeds having a proud reputation of bringing youth talent from the academy into the first-team, there is a good chance that Gelhardt will bag his debut for the club next season.
However, with Bielsa a fan of sticking to a proven core of players, it is not 100% certain that Gelhardt will feature heavily for the senior squad next campaign.
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