Hull City are a team that often flatters to deceive, but there can be no deception when it comes to making a permanent winter move for Joe Gelhardt.
Hull City’s late 2-1 win over high-flying Stoke City was capped by Joe Gelhardt’s tenth goal of the season. It leaves him only one goal behind golden boot leaders Brandon Thomas-Asante and Carlton Morris.
The 23-year-old is currently on one season loan from HCAFC’s nearest neighbours, Leeds United. He never really had the chance to shine at Elland Road and has two years left on his current contract with the Whites.
Hull City fans had pinned their hopes on Oli McBurnie leading the charge this season. However, with the Scot sidelined, Gelhardt outpaces him.
Joe Gelhardt’s last six appearances at Hull City
| Team faced | Goals | Assists | Shots | Shots on target | xG |
| Stoking | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0.45 |
| Ipswich | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0.11 |
| QPR | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.12 |
| Pompey | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0.75 |
| Derby | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.05 |
| Norwich | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0.37 |
Here we look at three reasons why Hull City should seriously consider signing a permanent deal for Gelhardt when the winter transfer window opens in January…
The goals will continue to flow for Joe Gelhardt
Gelhardt’s nine championship goals have come in 18 appearances, 16 of which have been starts. This not only helps the youngster keep pace with the golden boot race, but also puts him three ahead of teammate and fellow forward McBurnie in total.
A snapshot of him statistics per 90 players from FotMob shows the rich shape he is in. Gelhardt scored his goals at a rate of 0.63 goals per 90 minutes.
With 28 games left of the current Championship season, he could score another 17 goals if that pace continues.
Not only is his scoring percentage impressive, but so is the fact that he is exceeding expectations. His shot rate of 0.63 per 90 is above his xG of 0.37 and his on-target XG of 0.51, indicating he has better shot placement to allow him to climb above his xG.
Not just about the goals for Joe Gelhardt at Hull City
Strikers like Gelhardt are measured in the cold, hard currency of goals – that has always been the case. However, HCAFC fans will have seen that he is more than just the goals he puts in the hard work for.
Defensively, he is not afraid to get stuck, chase back and win the duels he contests. Data from FotMob shows that he wins 6.9 duels per 90 minutes, putting him in the top 16% of all forwards and attacking midfielders in the Championship.
His combative nature also sees him win 5.3 recoveries per 90 (top 12% of forwards/attacking midfielders), with 0.98 of these defensive ball recoveries coming within the final third of the pitch. What this shows is Gelhardt going back to Hull City and actively trying to win back the lost ball.
Hull City can take advantage of Leeds United’s position
Leeds United bought Gelhardt when his former side Wigan Athletic were in financial freefall. The ensuing fire sale saw the Whites swoop in and the player, affectionately known as ‘Joffy’, captured Elland Road.
His time at the West Yorkshire club didn’t exactly go to plan. He has struggled to make an impact and has therefore not achieved the breakthrough at Leeds United that fans might have hoped for.
Still, he is highly regarded by some at the club, but much of his experience of first-team football has come on loan from the club.
Realistically, he won’t force himself into their Premier League squad, not with the likes of Lukas Nmecha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Joel Piroe ahead of him in the pecking order. With that in mind, Hull City should really think about treating it as a January move and taking advantage of a LUFC side with more pressing needs elsewhere.
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