Gelhardt tipped for Leeds axe after team news hint – Whelan
Joe Gelhardt could drop out of the Leeds United starting eleven as injured stars complete their recoveries, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted manager Marcelo Bielsa could plump for “the more experienced option” against Liverpool on Boxing Day.
As quoted by Leeds Live on Saturday (18 December), Bielsa refused to rule out 26 December returns for Leeds United stars Dan James and Patrick Bamford.
Gelhardt has been used more frequently as the Whites contend with a devastating injury crisis.
The striker made his second senior start as the Yorkshire side lost 4-1 at home against Arsenal on Saturday.
When asked who could drop out of the side as Bamford and James return, Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “You’d probably be looking at Gelhardt, unfortunately for him.
“We’ve seen that a lot of the time, Bielsa tends to go for the more experienced option in these kinds of games.
“Do I believe Gelhardt should come out of the team? Absolutely not. I love that aggression and direct style he has, he’s so brave and he plays with no fear – he can really hurt teams.
“In these game, we’ll have to be slightly more disciplined. The responsibility could fall on the shoulders of more experienced players like Dan James and Patrick Bamford.”
Gelhardt scored his first Leeds United goal as Chelsea scored a last-gasp victory over the Whites earlier this month.
The striker is capped at England U20 level.
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