Joe Gelhardt looks set to leave Leeds United on loan this month in the pursuit of game time. Wigan Athletic are said to be leading the chase to re-sign the forward until the end of the season, but he does have interest from a number of other clubs in the Championship.
The striker has struggled for regular minutes all season and the signing of Georginio Rutter seems to have pushed him further down Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United’s pecking order. As such, the club have just over a week to secure a loan move for him and it’s in their interests to find him the opportunities he needs to continue his progression as a young player.
Chief executive Angus Kinnear appeared to make reference to Gelhardt’s loan switch in his programme notes ahead of Sunday’s Brentford clash. However, he suggested more than one player could be leaving West Yorkshire on a temporary basis before the end of the move, underlining his belief that emerging talent can benefit from playing regularly in the lower leagues.
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Leo Hjelde and Alfie McCalmont have both left on loan already this month to Rotherham United and Carlisle United respectively and here’s a look at a few more who might benefit from a switch in the coming days.
Sonny Perkins
The striker has been part of Jesse Marsch’s first team plans in recent months, making his debut for the Whites in the Carabao Cup clash at Wolves in November and he followed that up with a goal off the bench in the draw against Cardiff City earlier this month.
However, he is still waiting to make his first Premier League outing for Leeds and as the campaign intensifies, the head coach might struggle to find him the chances he deserves in the first-team. As such, rather than allowing him to spend the remainder of the season playing mainly with the Under-21s, the club could hand him the opportunity to head out on loan and get some senior experience under his belt.
Perkins wouldn’t be short of suitors if he were to be made available and he’ll be keen to test himself on a regular basis in men’s football.
Cody Drameh
It’s been a frustrating campaign for the 21-year-old, having made just three first-team appearances for the Whites. Marsch has spoken highly of him on a regular basis, but he hasn’t given him the chances he so desperately craves.
Drameh, then, has spent the season in the club’s youth set-up, featuring regularly under Michael Skubala and impressing, too, which only serves to underline his talent and his need for first-team action.
He got it last season, leaving to join Cardiff City in January and with his chances of regular minutes at Elland Road looking slim, he may well be pushing for another move this month. The right-back’s ability is there for all to see, but only senior minutes will prevent his career from stalling here on in.
Kristoffer Klaesson
The Norwegian finds himself behind Illan Meslier and Joel Robles in the pecking order at Elland Road at present. Therefore, he could be looking at spending the rest of the season training with the first-team but playing with the U21s, unless a loan can be sorted for him.
Leeds might not be too comfortable with allowing their third choice goalkeeper leave on loan, potentially leaving themselves short if injuries were to strike, however, Klaesson’s progression must be taken into account. The 22-year-old has made just one senior appearance since making the switch to Elland Road from Valerenga, where he was playing regularly, and a temporary move would be a huge learning experience.
Mateo Joseph
Leeds must continue to provide Joseph with opportunities to test himself at this stage of his career and like the names above, it seems unlikely that Marsch will be able to find him enough senior game time over the second half of the season. He’s bagged 12 goals in all competitions for the U21s this season and he has been rewarded with a Premier League appearance, stepping off the bench to feature at Tottenham Hotspur.
It seems as though he is ready to take the next step in his career and play regular first-team football, though. What level that would come at is hard to say, but if he’s managed correctly, a loan could be huge for both his physical and mental development.
Amari Miller
This season certainly hasn’t gone to plan for Miller, who arrived at Elland Road last season from Birmingham City with a healthy reputation. The winger has struggled for regular minutes in the U21s side this season, starting just one game in all competitions, and his appearances off the bench have often been short.
As a result he has struggled to make a lasting impression when he has been on the field. However, Miller is 20 now and a loan to a lower league club might just be what he needs to get his career back on track as he looks to carve out a career at the top level.
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