Leeds United: Conor McGilligan slams treatment of Joe Gelhardt

Presenter Conor McGilligan has slammed the Leeds United hierarchy for their treatment of young forward Joe Gelhardt this season.

During the summer, owner Andrea Radrizzani was speaking about the Englishman in an interview with The Athletic, and dubbed him ‘one of the most talented strikers in the country for his age.’

He added that for this recent, it would be hard to go into the market to buy another striker, and they would only chase a player if the right option became available – in the end, the Whites didn’t sign anyone.

On top of that, CEO Angus Kinnear backed Gelhardt on The Square Ball Podcast (via LeedsLive) to ‘have a breakout season’ while placing his faith in alternative options Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford too.

However, the youngster has not been used that much this season and McGilligan has slammed the decision, claiming it is a ‘disgrace’ that the forward can’t get into the Leeds team.

While speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, he said: “Angus Kinnear saying, we have two international number nines. And we have the best young talent in the Premier League. The young talent by the way who it’s a disgrace how he’s been managed at the minute. A disgrace.

“Kinnear was speaking all summer about a pathway for the youngsters, coming to Leeds United, recruiting Sonny Perkins, that pathway to the first team. That’s what we’ve done with Joe Gelhardt.

“And you look what Joe Gelhardt did towards the back end of last season. Norwich, Wolves, impact at Brighton, impact against Arsenal. The best goals-to-minute ratio in the Premier League at 19.

“And this is how we’ve treated him this season. After that statement, after saying we’ve got a pathway, and he’s the best young talent in the country.

“Why doesn’t he play, then? Because we’re the worst team in the Premier League. Why does he never come on? What’s he done? Isn’t it a meritocracy?”

TIF thoughts on Joe Gelhardt and Leeds…

The Whites are struggling at the moment and, having found themselves in the relegation zone, something at the club certainly needs to change. Perhaps Gelhardt could be the man to fix things.

After all, as MGilligan mentions, he did help the side massively last season when they were in turmoil. Indeed, he made goalscoring contributions against the likes of Norwich, Wolves, Arsenal, Burnley, Chelsea and Brighton.

On the weekend too, he came off the bench to assist against Fulham. However, he has been used sparingly, starting just once in the Premier League for a total of 152 minutes spread across nine games.

Seeing as Kinnear and Radrizzani so publically backed the youngster, it certainly is odd that manager Jesse Marsch hasn’t really given that much game time.