"Life in him yet" - Leeds United urged to retain attacker amid Georginio Rutter's imminent exit | OneFootball

Leeds United have been told to keep hold of Joe Gelhardt, with Georginio Rutter nearing a switch to Brighton and Hove Albion

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leeds United have been told to keep Joe Gelhardt and try to maximise his potential for the time being, with Georginio Rutter appearing poised to seal a switch to Brighton and Hove Albion after seeing his £40m release clause triggered on Wednesday evening.

Various updates have emerged pertaining to Rutter's prospective move to Brighton, with The Athletic first to reveal the value and the activation of the Frenchman's release clause. Their bombshell report was followed up with a claim from Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, disclosing that Rutter had agreed to join Brighton.

Daniel Farke also confirmed in his press conference on Thursday afternoon that Rutter has "more or less said goodbye" ahead of an "emotional" departure from Leeds, which could prove to have something of a domino effect at the club. Having also lost Crysencio Summerville earlier on in the window, Leeds are in a precarious position when it comes to squad depth and this may see Gelhardt stay put for the time being, having been out of favour while the two starlets were with the Whites.

Leeds United

Football League World's resident Whites fan pundit Kris Smith believes a potential departure for Gelhardt should now be ruled out following Rutter's impending departure, although reinforcements in the remainder of the transfer window could change that stance.

Gelhardt started and played the opening hour before being replaced by Willy Gnonto in Leeds' shock 3-0 Carabao Cup first-round exit at home to Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening, although Kris was still impressed by the 22-year-old's performance.

"Granted that Leeds now look like losing Georginio Rutter to Brighton, you would imagine that letting someone on the fringes like Joe Gelhardt leave wouldn't be allowed," Kris explained to Football League World.

"He started on the right-wing against Middlesbrough on Wednesday night and his movement was quite encouraging as well as his link-up play and how well he looked to drive and get in behind Boro. That effort sort of stands him in good stead, it looks like there's still life in him yet.

"It wasn't to be in terms of the end product in his game but that was the case for everyone, there was enough for me in that performance to suggest it's worth keeping him around and trying to get more and more out of him.

"If Leeds do miraculously attack this final two weeks of the transfer window with a bunch of new attacking signings then I would say Gelhardt needs to leave on loan, he probably wouldn't be short of suitors."

Even though Leeds are touted among the promotion favourites this term, they have the smallest squad size in the Championship of just 20 first-team players.

Therefore, they cannot afford to sanction even more departures before sourcing some incomings first, which rings true of Gelhardt's current situation in West Yorkshire.

Kris is correct in saying that a loan move will likely be the best course of action for his development if Leeds manage to bring in replacements for Rutter and Summerville, but until then, it would seem nonsensical to let him leave. You do feel that his future with the club could well be dictated by the final two weeks of the window.