Journalist Phil Hay has been blown away by a particular piece of skill from Leeds United youngster Joe Gelhardt in a pre-season match.
Earlier this week, the Whites stepped up their preparations for the upcoming Premier League season with a friendly match against Blackpool.
Goals from Robin Koch, Junior Firpo, Rodrigo and Mateo Joseph Fernandez settled the match 4-0 in Leeds’ favour, but one incident really caught the eye of Hay.
Indeed, for the third goal of the game, Gelhardt controlled a looping ball that dropped high from the sky before setting up teammate Rodrigo, who then scored from close range.
In reaction to this, Hay wrote on Twitter: “GOAL! 3-0, Rodrigo smashing a finish high into the net after a ridiculously good take-down by Gelhardt in the box.
“High, dropping ball, Gelhardt controls it, ball breaks to Rodrigo, bang. 31 minutes gone.”
Will Joe Gelhardt start often in the league for Leeds next season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Joe Gelhardt and Leeds…
Gelhardt played a somewhat small but crucial part in Leeds’ bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League last season. Indeed, he started just five games, but managed to provide two goals and four assists in his 732 minutes of playing time (via Transfermarkt)
What’s more, in the penultimate game of the season, he provided a moment of ‘magic’ to help set up Pascal Struijk’s stoppage-time equaliser. This salvaged a key point in a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in the final match to be played at Elland Road last term.
With Gelhardt once again providing another moment of stunning quality – this time in pre-season – the 20-year-old could be set to have an even bigger impact on the team next term.