Exclusive: Leeds United attacker tipped for Elland Road exit and urged to "go find a home" | OneFootball

Joe Jacobson has told FLW his verdict on Joe Gelhardt's future at Leeds United amid Hull City loan spell

Joe Jacobson believes that this summer could be the right time for Joe Gelhardt to make the permanent move away from Leeds United.

The forward has struggled for game time with the Whites, leading to multiple loan moves in his career.

The 22-year-old is currently plying his trade with Hull City further down the Championship table, joining the Tigers during the January transfer window.

The Yorkshire outfit are struggling against relegation to League One, with Gelhardt proving a regular presence in Ruben Selles’ side since making the switch from Leeds.

Gelhardt’s time at Leeds should be up

Jacobson has claimed that Gelhardt has reached a point in his career where he needs to find a new permanent home away from Leeds, regardless of what division they’re competing in next season.

The ex-Wycombe Wanderers defender turned EFL pundit has suggested it’s important he finds a new club, claiming he’s not done enough at Hull to change his standing in Daniel Farke’s side.

“It’s tough because when you come through the system you’re always looked at as that player that’s almost easily replaceable and that shouldn’t be the case,” Jacobson exclusively told Football League World.

“And the way Leeds, the firepower that they’ve got, he’s found himself down the pecking order for a number of years, and has never quite had a significant run of games in the team.

“Again, I don’t see that changing, I don’t see him going back, I don’t think he’s gone out and lit it up and scored loads of goals and made it impossible for Leeds not to take him back, and not to really think about him as a starting forward for them.

“With Leeds, if they’re in the Championship next season then they’ve got huge firepower if they all stay.

“And if they do go up, I think they’ll look to strengthen again in those forward areas, so it’s going to be tough.

“I think it’s the right time for him to move and go find a home.

“Go find somewhere you’re going to play every week, you’re going to be one of the main men, and I think that’s important for a young player’s career, at some point you’ve got to find your place and your team.

“It will be tough for him to leave Leeds because he’s been there for so long, but at some point you have to do what’s best for your career for the long-term, and I think, for him, leaving is probably the right thing to do.”

Gelhardt made just two appearances in the league this season for Leeds prior to his move to Hull, coming off the bench on both occasions.

Time for Gelhardt to leave Leeds

It’s clear that Gelhardt has no future as a regular part of Leeds’ first team squad, especially if they gain promotion to the Premier League this season.

Loan moves have helped him to develop and gain valuable experience, but he needs to find a permanent move to somewhere he can call home.

The move to Hull has worked out well so far, and they could be an ideal place to bring him in permanently because of how useful he’s been in Selles’ squad.