Whelan verdict on Gelhardt being handed Leeds debut after ‘massive’ Bamford news
Noel Whelan does not expect young Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt to be thrown into the first team despite Patrick Bamford’s injury.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Whites striker and boyhood fan claimed Rodrigo Moreno and Tyler Roberts will share the burden while Bamford is out as Leeds need to guarantee Premier League safety.
Bamford, who has started all of Leeds’ league games this term, limped off after 35 minutes with a leg injury against his former club Chelsea on Saturday. No timescale has been put on Bamford’s return.
He was replaced with record-signing Rodrigo who was then replaced late in the second-half by Mateusz Klich as he continues his recovery from a groin strain.
Gelhardt, a summer acquisition from Wigan Athletic, has been on fine goalscoring form for the club’s Under 23s side this season.
The 18-year-old has scored eight goals in 14 games in Premier League 2 but is yet to make his first-team bow.
Asked whether Bamford’s injury could give him an opportunity, Whelan told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs: “I’m not sure if he will.
“We’ll probably see him more on the bench, but while we still need points to guarantee safety, I can’t see that actually happening.
“I think you’ve got to go for experience and tried and trusted players in Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts, depending on which way they want to play it and which way round they want it.
“It’ll be hard to justify a £29million player sitting on the bench for a teenager who hasn’t had any game time for Leeds United.
“I think the fans want that and Marcelo Bielsa needs that kind of experience that he brings to the side.
“If he can get a good relationship going between Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts who can swap those positions around and interchange with each other that might cause problems to defences.
“It’s a massive loss losing Patrick and it was a massive risk. We knew that from two years ago when he was our only striker and he’s done so well not getting injured until now.”
In other news, a young striker has been granted permission for a six-figure move after heading to Leeds.