Leeds United Chat • The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Mon 10th August) Leeds win race to sign teenage sensation Joe Gelhardt
Leeds win race to sign Gelhardt
Highly rated teenage sensation Joe Gelhardt is on his way to Elland Road after personal terms were agreed over the weekend. Gelhardt caught the eye of many clubs up and down the Country last term, making 19 appearances and netting once for Latics.
Paul Cooks side went into administration in the second half of last season, and although they produced some amazing results on the field, their off field financial situation led to a twelve point deduction, and relegation to League 1.
Leeds have been in contact with Gerald Krasner, the administrator of Wigan Athletic, and a fee of £900,000 has been agreed. I wonder whether the fact the Krasner was once Leeds Utds Chairman helped push the deal through.
Gelhardt is expected to sign in the next 48 hours. Former England forward, Kevin Phillips believes the Whites should send Gelhardt out on loan next term.
When you have come from playing regular football, to sit on the bench and to some days not make match day squad can be really frustrating and can have a major knock-on effect with a player’s confidence.
If he is not going to be involved week in, week out I would like to see him go out on loan. Get that experience and learn the game. Then when he comes back to Leeds he will be a better player.
I would fully expect the young lad to be loaned out. Whether that be for six months or a year. Until the New Year might be a better option.
Bamford to lead the line in the Premiership
In his recent mailbag, Phil Hay was asked whether he expected Patrick Bamford to start the season leading the line? The 26 year old netted 16 times last term in 45 appearances. Unfortunately, he also missed the most guilt edged opportunities in the Championship last term (over 30). Hey replied...
Bamford probably will start. I don’t, in all honesty, expect the line-up on the first day of the Premier League season to deviate much from Bielsa’s preferred line-up this season.
Bielsa’s faith in Bamford has paid off so far. Bamford’s been part of a team who won the league by 10 points. Bielsa likes to be loyal and there’s something to be said for that.
Kit will not be revealed until terms are agreed with new shirt sponsors
With multiple proposals on the table, Leeds are very much in the driving seat to see who will take over the shirt sponsorship for the 2020/21 season and beyond.
Although the West Yorkshire side signed a two year extension with current sponsor 32Red which would have taken them to the end of the 20/21 season, Leeds have a clause enabling them to replace the betting company if they were to secure promotion.
Due to their promotion, Leeds will also be looking to replace or most certainly renegotiate secondary shirt sponsorship like sleeve!
Photoshoots with the players in the new Adidas kit have already been done, has but Leeds are still in the process of finalising fresh sponsorship agreements and the kit won’t be released or put on sale until those are in place.