Sheffield United should look to sign Leeds United man who is tearing the Championship apart | OneFootball

Joe Gelhardt has been in fine form this season and should be on Sheffield United's list of transfer targets

Sheffield United should swoop in to sign Hull City loanee Joe Gelhardt, who has been in fine goalscoring form this season - he can be the creative spark that the Blades need.

The 23-year-old forward, Joe Gelhardt, has been firing on all cylinders so far this season for Hull City and has continued where he left off for the Tigers last season, where he scored five times in 20 appearances.

The England youth international has been one of the Championship's biggest hitters in the 2025/26 campaign as he has found the net seven times and provided two assists, meaning that only Derby County's Cartlon Morris, and Coventry City duo Brandon Thomas-Asante and Haji Wright, have more goals to their name this season.

For Sheffield United, their goalscoring form is far from where they want to be as well as their league position, as the Blades have merely found the net 11 times in their opening 15 league matches. After being tipped as promotion candidates, this season is very much about recuperating for Chris Wilder's side, who already have one eye on the January transfer window to bring in much-needed reinforcements.

With Hull City under restrictions in terms of spending, the Tigers won't be able to sign players until the summer, which leaves them vulnerable to his parent club, Leeds United, potentially recalling the youngster or selling him on to raise funds while his stock is high in January. For the Blades, it could present a golden opportunity to pounce and secure Gelhardt's services permanently, should Leeds change their stance on the former England youth international; reports from Leeds Live have said that Gelhardt is unlikely to be recalled despite a clause in his Hull loan.

Joe Gelhardt can be the attacking spark that Sheffield United need to turn their form around

Gelhardt has hit the ground running upon his return to Hull City and has slotted straight into his natural position on the right whilst playing for the Tigers where he has been a constant goal threat and is currently in the midst of a purple patch of form with five goals in his last six matches.

A standout performance against Leicester City, where he got himself a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win at the back end of last month, was backed up at the weekend with another couple of goal contributions in their win against Portsmouth, where Gelhardt scored the winner in the 79th minute.

For a player that just cannot stop scoring, it would come as no surprise if top Championship clubs came sniffing around for the 23-year-old in January. However, it is all dependent on the action that Premier League outfit Leeds United take.

For Sheffield United, it's evident to see that they are in dire need of more creativity at the top end of the pitch alongside the likes of Gus Hamer and Callum O'Hare, who has been the Blades' brightest spark in their disappointing season with four goals and two assists in the Championship.

If the Blades get the opportunity to sign the Hull loanee in January, should Leeds decide to cash in on Gelhardt, who seems unlikely to force his way back into the West Yorkshire side, it could be a really good investment on a permanent basis to play off the right-flank or even in the number 10 position - where he is thriving for Hull.

Joe Gelhardt possesses the qualities of a Chris Wilder attacker

Ever since his reintroduction at Bramall Lane, Blades boss Chris Wilder has toyed with a few formations, including the 3-4-2-1 and 4-2-2-2 with him most commonly opting for his preferred 4-2-3-1, which Gelhardt is used to playing under Sergej Jakirovic at Hull. Therefore, he'd slot straight into Wilder's system and possess that versatility needed in a Chris Wilder side, as he has shown that he likes to switch up his tactics from week-to-week.

As well as having a keen eye for goal, Gelhardt's creative side to his game has shone through in the 2025/26 season, as his cross accuracy average of 40% ranks amongst the highest of any winger in the division. Implement this at Sheffield United, and the Blades could be on to a winner with a powerful presence like Tyrese Campbell in the No.9 position. With him currently linking up well with Ollie McBurnie at Hull, his deliveries have been a real asset to Hull and could well mimic that at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United are currently stuck in a rut. It's not just the 0.57 goals per 90 that will stand out to the Blades but also his willingness to give his all for the badge, which their fans are crying out for right now. With United players being accused of having a lack of fight in the early stages of the season, with a player like Gelhardt, the Blades certainly wouldn't have that issue. He averages 4.94 recoveries per game and wins just shy of 6 duels per game, highlighting his desire in the defensive side of the game also.

The elephant in the room remains that it would require a Leeds change of heart. However, all in all, if the opportunity arises where Gelhardt is available on the transfer market to snap up from Leeds, then Sheffield United must make sure that they are the team to sign him. He would not only bring plenty of attacking returns, but he is a constant threat in wide and central areas, as well as a big part of what the Blades need when it comes to defending from the front.