Leeds United are reluctant to even entertain more firmer talks regards loaning young Liverpool born forward Joe Gelhardt to any championship club this January. Gelhardt has found opportunities hard to come by this season, and a lack of consistency in team selection has affected the twenty year old.
Hoffenheim striker, Georginio Rutter has this weekend agreed personal terms with Leeds United in an alleged twenty five million pounds deal. Once that is completed it is likely Gelhardt could become available on loan. The ex Wigan player has lost a lot of his natural confidence this season, most of his appearances have been off the bench and goals have been hard to come by. In fact goals are not the only gift he has (fortunately as he is struggling on that front) he isn’t considered an out and out striker but would compliment what Russell Martin is trying to achieve within his squad for the rest of the season.
For us though he really isn’t the answer. Maybe just a complimentary option ?
Armstrong Oko-Flex looked more of a brighter proposition albeit out wide, and we saw how that went with him asking to return to West Ham last week. On the face of it it’s hard to see what a twenty year old with limited game time, and with a loss of confidence can bring to a side like Swansea that still see’s itself as being able to challenge the top six this season. The experience that Russell Martin spoke of last week, and which is most certainly required isn’t within Gelhardt’s profile at all.
A nice to have but is Gelhardt the answer ?
Gelhardt has played fifteen times in all competitions for the first team this season, starting twice in the Carabao Cup. He has though some Premier League substitute appearances. His only goals have come in the EFL Trophy for the whites Under-21 side when he scored twice against Tranmere Rovers.
For us he sounds like a nice to have whilst Michael Obafemi and Jamie Paterson sulk themselves out of the club. Ryan Manning and Joel Latibeaudiere are still to agree new contracts. Both Manning and Latibeaudiere remaining committed to the Swansea cause and are playing the team game despite their contractual circumstances. Their consistent inclusion by Russell Martin over the last month continued evidence of their professionalism.
We mustn’t forget either that with every window that passes loams and new permanent contracts become increasingly harder to negotiate. The detail is mind numbing and these things don’t happen overnight. In the case of Joe Gelhardt it could well be a while before his club allow any talk of him leaving to become more than that.
Who can say what is on the horizon, the swans have plugged many gaps in the corridors at the swansea.com, so maybe that quick defender will become apparent towards the end of the week ? Because pace is still required if the wing back dream is to be realised this season at Swansea City.