Leeds employee shares verdict on Joe Gelhardt starting v Southampton after confirmed news
Noel Whelan has claimed Rodrigo should replace Patrick Bamford in the Leeds United number nine role despite Joe Gelhardt’s impressive substitute appearances.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Jesse Marsch will look to the 31-year-old for “experience”.
Leeds United revealed via club media on Sunday (27 March) that Bamford will be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks after rupturing his plantar fascia.
Rodrigo has notched goals in back-to-back victories over Norwich and Wolves to help the Whites lift themselves seven points clear of the Premier League drop zone.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Gelhardt has notched two goals and three assists in just 455 top-flight minutes this term.
Whelan claimed Rodrigo’s transformation under Jesse Marsch will give him the edge in the American’s pecking order.
“There’s something in Gelhardt I love,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’s got that fearlessness and real unpredictability, and a real knack of driving at the opposition and causing chaos.
“He’s also really good at being in the right place at the right time.
“Don’t get me wrong, I think he can handle the pressure – there’s no doubt about it. But I think Marsch will be looking to experience at the moment.
“Rodrigo has had a lot of confidence put back into his game. He looks so much busier on and off the ball now, and he’s really affecting the games.
“I think we’ve got to stick by him in that number nine position at the moment.”
Rodrigo has scored 12 goals in 54 games since completing a reported club-record £27million move from Valencia in 2020.
The Whites face Southampton at Elland Road on Saturday (2 April).
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