'Better than Aaronson' - Leeds fans all in agreement over Joe Gelhardt return after Hull City scenes
Joe Gelhardt could make a dramatic return to the Leeds United squad afterall following his performances at Hull City this season.
The 23-year-old has notched 12 goals and four assists in the Championship in 2025-26, with only Swansea City's Zan Vipotnik and Coventry City's Haji Wright boasting more goals in the competition.
Of course, Gelhardt is only on loan at the MKM Stadium until the end of the campaign, with Leeds left with a decision to make on his future ahead of what is likely to be another season in the Premier League.
Leeds will already have transfer plans in place, but their loanee's performances in the Championship might reshape the club's thinking when it comes to signing attacking reinforcements in the summer.
Joe Gelhardt impresses with a stunning free-kick at Hull City
As Hull beat Wrexham 2-1 on Tuesday, 10 March, Gelhardt stole the spotlight when firing home an audacious free-kick, a goal which trumped his penalty miss just two minutes after.
Watching the moment on repeat, one supporter back at Elland Road believes "he's better than [Brenden] Aaronson," with the majority of fans just pleased to see him thriving on loan.
Jokingly, another supporter said that Leeds "should take a look at him," as clubs would when scouting a player, with more and more fans suggesting that Gelhardt could fit into the first-team squad next season.
- @jimmy_L_UFC: "Joffy and Stach next season! Wow, what a hit."
- @knowlesm: "Looks like a player this lad. LUFC should take a look at him…"
- @bassett442: "Well done, Gelhardt. Cracking goal."
What does the future hold for the Leeds United loanee?
Gelhardt has now spent the last two seasons on loan at the MKM Stadium, having scored five goals in 20 games during his first stint on loan, before earning himself a second campaign there.
It is understood that the 23-year-old is very happy with his amount of game time away from Elland Road, with reports stating that the Championship are keen on making his deal permanent.
The Tigers have a very real chance of securing promotion, currently sitting fifth in the Championship table, just six points from the top two spots, and seven points ahead of seventh place.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that Hull are confident of agreeing a deal for Gelhardt, regardless of their league status next season, and that may be disappointing to a lot of Leeds fans.