The 19-year-old is among the most highly rated young talents in Leeds Under-23s squad and has made the top flight matchday squad several times since he arrived at Elland Road last summer.

 

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa finally handed Gelhardt his Premier League debut in a 1-0 away loss against Southampton at the weekend.

 

 

Even though Leeds finished the game on the wrong end of the result, ex-White Beckford is really happy for Gelhardt, who in his eyes handled the immensity of the occasion while making his debut in a calm and collected manner.

 

Beckford explained that Gelhardt did not appear to be daunted at all while making his Premier League bow, which speaks volumes about the strength of character he has.

 

 

“What I loved about seeing that [Gelhardt’s debut] as well is he was so calm and collected, he did not let his emotions get away from him”, Beckford said on the Official Leeds United Podcast.

 

“He did not let the adrenaline spike and then dip in the blink of an eye.

 

 

“He managed to stay really, really calm, really level-headed right away throughout the game.

 

“So I think that goes to speak volumes about his character, but also for the team-mates and for the staff as well for mentally preparing him for a moment as big as that and it did not seem like it daunted him at all.

 

“He looked relatively comfortable when he was playing.

 

“So, I am buzzing for him, absolutely over the moon.”

 

Having clocked up his first minutes in top flight football, Gelhardt will be determined to earn Bielsa’s trust again and possibly feature more frequently in the top flight.