"I'd expect" - Leeds United ace Joe Gelhardt backed to have Hull City impact | OneFootball

FLW's Leeds United fan pundit has had his say on Hull City's loan swoop for Joe Gelhardt.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Joe Gelhardt looks set to depart Leeds United for Hull City on loan imminently in the hope of securing more game time under Ruben Selles over Daniel Farke.

A report from Hull Live has stated that Gelhardt is keen on moving from West to East Yorkshire, as City are said to be fronting the queue of sides for his signature. That is after there have been reports stating for a while that he has his eyes on a move away from Leeds in the January transfer window.

MOT Leeds News have outlined that he has made the decision to leave, while reports from The Yorkshire Evening Post state that he is looking to seek an exit from Leeds in the transfer window after finding regular football difficult to come by for two seasons and amid interest in his services.

The report adds that some of those clubs, including two in Belgium, alongside Preston North End, Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle, and Rangers are keen on him. Football League World understands QPR are one of a number of clubs that have him on their radar.

Darren Witcoop has suggested that Hull have beaten numerous clubs to win the race, with fellow Championship sides Portsmouth, Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff City, Derby County, and Plymouth all interested in landing the 22-year-old's services on loan.

The Leeds United verdict as Gelhardt closes in on Hull switch

As per the report, with Ruben Selles' men at the front of the queue to sign the ace, Farke's side are willing to sanction his exit, once they've established the full extent of fellow striker Patrick Bamford's hamstring injury, and will make their decision before the end of the week:

We asked FLW’s Leeds United fan pundit Kris Smith for his thoughts on the move and whether it will be a good fit for him, or if Leeds should have instead considered a permanent sale.

He said: "Gelhardt, for me, is at the point in his career where he needs to start kicking on and be a regular starter for whichever club are willing to take him on.

"Because he is nowhere near the fold at Leeds, at the moment. Daniel Farke just won't give him a chance, and there are just that many attackers in front of him.

"So, a loan makes perfect sense for him. Moving to somewhere that is willing to give him the playing time he needs every week in the Championship is ideal.

"Obviously, if Hull are willing to do that, then happy days. Ruben Selles has just been appointed and is a good coach, and I'd expect him to get a tune out of Gelhardt.

"Whether that is up front as a striker, or potentially a bit deeper as a No.10, or on the right-hand side. He's definitely got the quality to add to that Hull attack.

"I do think, though, the bigger picture with this loan is that it is make or break for Gelhardt; he needs this six months to really kickstart his career again.

"It has stalled ever since Leeds got relegated. The only way for him to get back to his best is moving away and doing well somewhere else."

With a total of nine minutes played in the Championship in the 2024/25 season, it is safe to say that it has not been the desired season so far for Gelhardt. His only two league appearances came in a 1-1 draw with Norwich and a 2-0 away victory at Sheffield Wednesday.

Injury has since seen him come out of the matchday squad altogether, with the 22-year-old struggling to build any kind of rhythm; Gelhardt is in desperate need of a loan switch in January before deciding on his long-term future with Leeds in the summer.

For all parties involved, Joe Gelhardt's immediate future needs to be at another club, even if it is just in the short-term via a loan switch, and Hull could be a good destination due to his versatility as a forward in numerous attacking positions.

The most concerning aspect of Hull's season so far has been their lack of goals, as they have scored just 25 in 26 Championship fixtures, only one more than bottom club Plymouth. They will hope Gelhardt can help to remedy that alongside Matt Crooks.