Joe Gelhardt: Leeds United told to unleash teenager as Marcelo Bielsa claim issued – Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has called on Jesse Marsch to give Joe Gelhardt more game time at Leeds United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England forward suggested Gelhardt has deserved more minutes since his emergence under Marcelo Bielsa.
The 19-year-old made his Whites debut in the EFL Cup earlier this season and now has 15 appearances under his belt.
He scored his second senior goal for the club with the dramatic last-minute winner in the 2-1 victory over Norwich City earlier this month (13 March).
Marsch then dropped him to the bench for the equally dramatic 3-2 win over Wolves on Friday night (18 March) as he nursed a slight back issue.
The Athletic‘s Phil Hay reported on the same day that the club want to open contract talks with him in the summer with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2024.
Asked whether he should be given more of a chance to impress, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “He’s done well when he’s had a chance, why not give him more time?
“Under Bielsa, a lot of people were saying he should get more game time and I think he should.
“Hopefully now, he’s got that goal too, just start him next time. Give him a chance.”
Leeds are next in action after the international break when Southampton visit Elland Road (2 April).
A start for Gelhardt would be just his third for the club and both of the others came in the Premier League.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has issued a triple-your-money Andrea Radrizzani claim after a £100m Leeds United reveal.