Pundit left "surprised" at Leeds United, Joe Gelhardt situation | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer is surprised that Joe Gelhardt did not depart Elland Road this summer, given his failed impact at the club.

Given Leeds United's seismic overhaul this summer, Carlton Palmer is surprised that Joe Gelhardt has remained at Elland Road this season.

Having signed from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee in 2020, the then 18-year-old was poised for a glistening career with the Premier League side. However, since his move from the Latics, the striker has struggled to make an impact.

Given his lack of opportunities last season, many would have assumed that Gelhardt would have been moved on in the summer window, but the 22-year-old remains at the club with his future in doubt.

Joe Gelhardt could have left Leeds this summer

Leeds paid for the price of losing the play-off final last season by having to sell several of their prized assets. Having narrowly lost to Southampton, the club sold the likes of Archie Gray, Crsencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter for substantial fees.

Along with those deals, many would have expected Gelhardt to depart the club, given his lack of opportunities and impact. Indeed, Palmer was surprised that Gelhardt did not leave the club during the summer window.

"I’m surprised he didn’t leave Leeds this summer," Palmer exclusively told Football League World.

"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."

Joe Gelhardt will have limited opportunities this season

Considering Gelhardt has been at Elland Road for over four years, his impact has not been enough to cement a place in the first team. Furthermore, the forward has struggled for goals, with only three goals in 56 appearances.

Although the striker spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Sunderland, he suffered a familiar story, with three goals in 20 appearances for the Black Cats.

Given he is up against the likes of Patrick Bamford, Joel Piroe and Mateo Jospeh for a starting position, he will struggle for game time. Indeed, Palmer believes Gelhardt will find opportunities sparse.

The former England international continued: "He’s not going to be guaranteed any game time at Leeds United, you know, he’s just struggled to get a regular spot, with just 13 appearances all last season.

"It’s very difficult for him. I think he’s going to struggle to establish himself, having made the move from Wigan Athletic back in the summer of 2022. He’s been unable to break into the first team on a consistent basis.

"Leeds United need a squad, they need a squad in depth when they pick up injuries and so forth. They’ve had players who have not been available to them, like Bamford, who has not been available for them for the last couple of seasons, but that doesn't really do Joe Geldhart any good.

"I’m sure he’s been promised, he must have been promised by Daniel Farke that he’s an available member of the squad and will get some game time this season and that’s why he’s stayed, but I’m sure at Christmas they will re-evaluate the situation."

Palmer believes it was a surprise that Gelhardt stayed at Leeds, considering he has failed to make an impact during his four years at the club.

This season, the Englishman is up against several reputable players, which means first-team opportunities will be hard to come by.

At 22 years of age, Gelhardt has time on his side and should he struggle for game time, as expected, a January move will be on the cards.