Joe Gelhardt generates more excitement among Leeds United fans than most when it comes to the next big thing ready to break through.
Anyone who has watched the under-23 side for any great deal of time this term will understand what all the fuss was about at Wigan Athletic and why that has followed him to West Yorkshire.
In the absence of record-signing Rodrigo at Craven Cottage on Friday night, Gelhardt was the youngster promoted to provide an attacking option from the bench.
It would seem the 18-year-old is fourth in line for the striking berth in Marcelo Bielsa’s system behind Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts.
For all of the havoc he has wrought in Premier League 2, everyone knows the step up to the big leagues is monumental and Bielsa was not willing to stick his neck out post-match.
After the Fulham win, he was asked whether the Liverpool-born forward was ready for such a high level of competition.
“These questions are answered when the player competes and shows that he is ready,” he said.
“He has a role in which he occupies in the squad.
“He is where he is on merit with regards to the players that the club possesses, but to say how he's going to play when it is his turn is difficult.”
Gelhardt has been included in a training camp arranged by The Football Association for an England under-19 squad at St George’s Park next week.
Charlie Cresswell and Sam Greenwood have also been included.
