Plymouth Argyle and Wayne Rooney could kickstart Leeds United striker's career again - View | OneFootball

Could Wayne Rooney be the manager to get the best out of Leeds United's Joe Gelhardt?

Wayne Rooney and Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt have drawn plenty of comparisons previously due to their stature and direct dribbling ability, and the England icon could be the man to get his career back on track with Plymouth Argyle.

Gelhardt is one of a number of fringe players who could be in line for an exit from Leeds this summer, but the 22-year-old remains a player with plenty of untapped potential, having shown excellent early signs at the start of his Wigan Athletic career.

The Whites were then quick to pounce four years ago to make Gelhardt theirs, with a reported £1.1 million fee enough to lure him from the cash-strapped Latics that summer after being promoted under Marcelo Bielsa.

Having failed to make a single appearance in his first year at the club and instead tearing up the U-23 and U-21 teams, Gelhardt went on to feature 20 times in the following Premier League campaign, and netted his first goal for the club in memorable style by bagging the equaliser in a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in December 2021.

However, his magnum opus so far in a Leeds shirt came at Elland Road, where his injury-time winner against Norwich City sparked wild celebrations later in the season, which earned him more time to prove himself to the onlooking Leeds fans who were beginning to get excited about what could be to come, given the ecstasy he produced with his match-winning effort.

Joe Gelhardt's recent Leeds struggles

The youngster could have been forgiven for thinking he would have a larger role with Leeds in 2023/24 following the club's relegation, as opposed to languishing within Leeds' reserves or on the fringes of the first-team with very little game time to speak of last term.

It’s safe to say that despite plenty of early promise, his career has never really taken off. The former Wigan man has struggled for game time more than ever this year, with just two starts for the Whites in the 23/24 campaign and one thus far in 24/25.

Last season, the 22-year-old was cast out of the starting picture by Daniel Farke and has every right to feel hard done by. However, there could be a route back in during the coming months if Leeds fail to address the issues in their forward line.

From Gelhardt's perspective, with his development stalling over the last couple of seasons, he is surely in a position where the short-term has to be regular football, be that with Leeds or at another club. There is obvious talent there, and Leeds could instead seek a loan in order to get his career back on track.

In total, the 22-year-old has made just 45 league appearances in his four years with Leeds, and although he has shown glimpses of quality when given the opportunity, the attacker has so far failed to make much of an impact during his time at the club, or to nail down what exactly he is as well.

The forward hasn't defined himself yet. Gelhardt is arguably best off the right when able to move from out-to-in, or as a secondary striker, instead of as a focal point of the attack. None of Bielsa, Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia, Sam Allardyce, or Farke have been able to find a regular place for him in a role which suits his strengths.

He had a bright first half in the cup clash against Middlesbrough in what has so far been his only appearance of the season so far. However, he was unable to offer much threat in the second half, where Leeds were undone in a 3-0 defeat to Michael Carrick's side.

In many ways, Gelhardt has reached a crossroads in his career with three years left on his Leeds contract, as he requires regular football and chances. During the first two league fixtures, he was an unused substitute and watched on as the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Patrick Bamford were called upon as attacking options instead.

Joe Gelhardt's Leeds future and possible Plymouth solution

At this stage of the window, Leeds are intent on keeping the 22-year-old, with no further signings since secured to bolster their forward line after the losses of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.

However, the plan inarguably should be to find a way of securing the forward first-team football this season, and to help him further realise his potential by means of regular second tier gametime.

FLW sources have been informed that Wayne Rooney is regarded as being a long-term admirer of Gelhardt, but that he is likely to remain at Leeds this summer as a depth option in attack, with no move to Plymouth forthcoming despite their manager's interest.

Comparisons have been made for many years now between Gelhardt and a young Rooney, which go beyond their Liverpool roots. 'Joffy' has the same build, dribbling ability and fearlessness that first made Rooney a star early on in his career, and is also represented by his management agency.

Not only do they compare in footballing aesthetics terms, but in stature, gait, and running style as well. The pair are also powerful ball-strikers and extremely versatile. Not only that, but they grew up a mere four miles from one another.

Gelhardt was born in working-class Netherton, whilst Rooney hails from nearby Croxteth. Of course, for the reasons stated, he could be used as a versatile forward by Leeds and Farke, as he is capable of playing off the right-hand flank or as a second-striker/attacking midfielder.

But his place in the pecking order is incredibly far down in most forward areas, due to Leeds' strength in depth in attack which they are expected to add to in the coming weeks. Therefore, if anyone can find a way to get the best out of Gelhardt and unlock more of that untapped potential after a few years of stalling development, then it could well be the player he is likened to the most in Rooney.

The profile of the 22-year-old is something Rooney would surely love to hone into something more. It may take at least a few signings for Leeds to even consider a move for a player that can plug multiple gaps, but don't be surprised if Gelhardt and Rooney work alongside one another some day – be that at Plymouth or elsewhere.