Joe Gelhardt on how Marcelo Bielsa is trying to change his style as a Leeds United striker

Marcelo Bielsa has told Joe Gelhardt to concentrate more on playing higher up the pitch as he looks to establish himself as a Leeds United first-teamer, and the 19-year-old is studying Patrick Bamford as he develops.

Gelhardt was one of a raft of under-23 players the Whites signed last summer, in his case from Wigan Athletic

Although he has been involved in some first-team squads, he is yet to make his senior debut.

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Where once being a No 9 was the glory position in English football, now increasingly youngsters want to drop off an contribute more to the build-up. Gelhardt is no exception.

DEVELOPING: Leeds United striker Joe GelhardtDEVELOPING: Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt
DEVELOPING: Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt

“I'm a player who likes to get on the ball, drop low, and try to dribble past a player," he said.

“What the manager's told me is I need to add more in-behind runs to my game – short, sharp, and more sprints.

“I've tried to take that on board as much as I can, and I've tried to implement it. He's a great manager with young players so everything he says you've got to take it on board.”

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Bamford has worked hard on his game by watching some of the world's best centre-forwards, and Gelhardt has being paying close attention to him.

“If I'm watching a first-team game, I'm always watching Pat the most, thinking: where can I improve my game to try and get in the squad a bit more and get a few minutes.”

You can read more from the interview here.

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