Former Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says he tried to sign Joe Gelhardt over summer but was ‘laughed’ at due to the teenager's rising status.
Nineteen-year-old Gelhardt has caught the attention of managers throughout the league, particularly after he won the match-saving penalty in the 1-1 draw with Wolves last weekend.
During the Sky Sports build-up for Leed United's clash with Norwich City at Carrow Road today, Hasselbaink, who manages League One side Burton Albion, said Leeds are well aware of how in demand Gelhardt is.
Hasselbaink said: “I tried to sign him in the summer on loan. When I called Leeds they laughed at me. They said everybody wants him.
“He’s got everything. He’s got a silky left foot. He’s not afraid to take players on. He understand the game. He's stocky, he’s strong, powerful, and he is going to have a bright future.
“That’s the kind of players you go to the stadium for.”
Jamie Redknapp added: “He’s certainly got a good career ahead of him.”
During the discussion on Sky Sports a statistic was also brought up which highlighted Gelhardt's impact off the bench. The table showed that the young forward had 11 touches in the opposition box in the 28 minutes he was on the pitch as a substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure was the second highest of any substitute going back to the 2010/11 season, and was beaten only by Eden hazard who had 13 touches in the opposition box in 45 minutes in a match in 2014.
