Leeds: Orta could land Gelhardt 2.0 in King

Leeds United might unearth their subsequent Joe Gelhadrt in reported switch goal Leon King.

What’s the speak?

That’s in response to Pete O’Rourke, who said his perception in a latest interview with GIVEMESPORT that, with Victor Orta recognized to be actively searching for thrilling younger expertise so as to add to Jesse Marsch’s squad at Elland Highway, the Glasgow Rangers centre-back can be a signing much like the Spaniard’s 2020 seize of Gelhadrt from Wigan Athletic.

Relating to the Whites’ reported curiosity within the 18-year-old, the journalist stated: “I believe he can be of an analogous ilk [to Gelhardt]. I believe Leon King’s in all probability performed extra first-team soccer than Joe Gelhardt had when he arrived from Wigan. However Leeds are taking a look at youthful gamers, not only for the primary workforce, but additionally for the U21s, which may be very sturdy as nicely, so they’re constructing for the longer term.”

The following Gelhardt

Whereas it’s true that King doesn’t precisely boast a wealth of first-team expertise – having to date featured simply 19 instances for Rangers, the overwhelming majority of which have come this season – contemplating the hype presently surrounding the defender, it isn’t tough to see why Orta can be eager on a deal to deliver {the teenager} to Elland Highway.

Certainly, injuries to the likes of Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and John Souttar have compelled Giovanni van Bronckhorst to deploy the Scotland U21 worldwide within the coronary heart of his defence in some extremely essential video games this season, together with four of Gers’ Champions League fixtures and six of the membership’s Premiership matches.

And, regardless of the Scottish aspect having been on the tip of some very heavy defeats in Europe’s most prestigious membership competitors, King has undoubtedly been one of many brightest sparks in Rangers’ Champions League jaunt, making a powerful common of two.5 tackles, one interception, 2.3 clearances and successful 3.3 duels – at successful fee of fifty% – per sport.

His performances in Europe have additionally earned reward from quite a lot of onlookers, with Jurgen Klopp stating his perception that {the teenager} had a “good game” in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Gers, whereas Alex McLeish additionally praised the £90k-rated expertise’s show towards the Reds, claiming that King regarded “calm and composed” and was “tremendous” towards the Premier League outfit.

As such, whereas the teenager is most actually nonetheless an especially uncooked expertise, it’s plain that the centre-back possesses the potential to go on and luxuriate in an especially profitable profession on the very prime stage of the sport, one thing that would additionally simply be stated of Gelhardt.

Certainly, the 20-year-old ahead has already made 30 appearances for the Whites’ first workforce, scoring two objectives and offering 4 assists alongside the way in which, with Phil Hay dubbing the England U21 worldwide as “one of the club’s biggest talents“.

So, ought to Orta handle to get a deal over the road for King, contemplating his spectacular returns within the Champions League this season, the Scotsman could nicely simply go on to make an analogous influence to that of Gelhardt at Elland Highway – a prospect that’s positive to be extremely tantalising for each Jesse Marsch and supporters of the membership alike.