The summer transfer window may have only just closed but Carlton Palmer believes one Leeds United player could already be looking towards January.
Though Leeds do have one of the stronger squads in the Championship this season, it is also one of the smallest after letting go of 21 players in total.
The 49ers worked hard to move on a number of fringe members of the squad but also lost key men such as Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter in the process.
As a way of replacing those outgoings, Leeds brought in eight new signings but did not quite land all of the positions they wanted.
Daniel Farke was keen on adding another number 10, but for whatever reason, the Whites were unable to do so, seemingly to the Leeds boss’ frustration.
Palmer makes prediction on Joe Gelhardt’s Leeds future
Leeds did try add the final piece to the puzzle in attack during the final week of the window, submitting two offers for Gustavo Hamer, and holding talks with Roland Sallai.
Landing just one of those would’ve represented significant coups for Leeds and Sallai should certainly be one they continue to monitor ahead of January.
Leeds would’ve been prepared to loan out Joe Gelhardt had they signed either Sallai or Hamer but unfortunately for him, it looks as though he will have another few months of limited football.
The ‘talented‘ Gelhardt has not started a league game for Leeds in 13 months and has only played one minute of Championship action so far. He also doesn’t get in Leeds’ strongest squad.
Speaking to Football League World about Gelhardt’s situation, Palmer believes the 22-year-old’s agent will already be thinking about possible January solutions.
He said: “Joe Geldhart finds himself in an unenviable position at the moment. He’s 22, and he’s getting very little game time at Leeds United. I’m surprised he didn’t leave Leeds this summer.
“There were previously last season, the likes of Ipswich Town, who were interested in him. The season before, he went on loan to Championship Sunderland, where he played 18 games and only scored three goals.
“I am surprised that him and his advisors haven’t sorted a move. He needs to play football, and he’s just not getting any game time and the years are ticking on.
“I’m sure his advisors now will be looking at it saying, listen, right, if he’s not getting game time, I think by the time we get to the Championship transfer window, they’ll look to get him out, whether it’s on loan or on a permanent deal.
Leeds made a mistake not loaning out Gelhardt
Gelhardt was handed a start in the Carabao Cup against Middlesbrough and produced a performance that was clearly of someone desperate to impress.
However, he didn’t make much of an impact on the night but that is through no fault of his own, considering his match rhythm is virtually none.
At his age, it is unfair that Leeds have kept him sitting around not playing for so long and this summer should really have represented the turning point.
In January, Leeds simply have to find another number 10 to allow Gelhardt to go and progress his career.
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