'Real big talent' - Warnock names Leeds United youngster who can push Patrick Bamford next season
Former Leeds United defender Stephen Warnock has picked out teenage talent Joe Gelhardt as a player who can have a big future at Elland Road.
The 18-year-old has made a major impression at Thorp Arch since signing from Wigan Athletic last summer, bagging 11 goals in 15 Premier League 2 outings so far this term.
Gelhardt is still yet to make his debut for Marcelo Bielsa s first team, but his goal-scoring feats for the U23s have caught the eye, so much so that Warnock has singled him out as a player who could find himself in and around the senior side next season.
Speaking on Football Focus, the pundit argued that Leeds need to consider adding another striker to their ranks to ease the burden on Patrick Bamford, before throwing Gelhardt’s name into the ring as one potential candidate.
He said: “You look at Leeds this season, you look at Bamford, Rodrigo, Raphinha, Jack Harrison – they’ve got creative players.
"They’ve got goalscorers within their team.
"I do think that they need to perhaps buy another to push Bamford. That will improve his tally.
"If he lacks a little bit of form, you’ve got someone else to come in.
"You’ve also got Joseph Gelhardt, the youngster in the U23s.
"Real big talent that the fans are itching to see. He’s another one who can be close to the team.”
Marcelo Bielsa himself has also identified Gelhardt’s qualities in recent weeks.
Speaking last month, he said: "He’s a player that always creates danger in a game.
"He has resources to beat an opponent and he has a final shot, a finish that is very good."