Wayne Rooney's recent departure from Plymouth Argyle has thrown the club's plans for strengthening its squad, particularly concerning Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt, significantly off balance. According to reports from Alan Nixon, the hopes of securing Gelhardt's loan move to Home Park were closely tied to Rooney's position as manager. With Rooney now gone, this transfer deal hangs precariously in the balance.
Rooney, renowned as one of England's greatest-ever strikers, has faced challenges during his managerial career after initially showing promise at Derby County. His stints at Birmingham City and Plymouth have been far less successful, culminating in his sacking on New Year's Eve, following a difficult period at Devon where results, especially away from home, disappointed fans and management alike.
Gelhardt's potential arrival at Plymouth Argyle was viewed as pivotal for the club as they seek to maintain their Championship status beyond May. Previously, Gelhardt had shown enthusiasm about linking up with Rooney at Plymouth, feeling it could rejuvenate his career amid limited game time at Leeds United. With his current season at Elland Road proving disheartening—boasting only two appearances so far—the 22-year-old forward is eager to secure more first-team action.
Prior to Rooney's dismissal, Plymouth had reportedly emerged as strong candidates for Gelhardt's loan, especially considering his impressive talent shown during earlier seasons. He made notable strides during the 2021/22 campaign when he burst onto the Premier League scene, but since then his playing time has drastically diminished as he slipped down the pecking order under manager Daniel Farke.
Despite Gelhardt's eagerness to make the move to Plymouth, the change of management complicates things significantly. Nixon's report suggests the Argyle's interest may wane due to Rooney's exit, turning the focus back to the squad’s lineup and tactical direction moving forward under new leadership. The departure of Andre Gray from Plymouth's roster has also added urgency to the situation. Seeing Gray depart effectively leaves Plymouth with fewer options as they aim to reinforce their attacking ranks.
Interestingly, Glhardt’s future now points to either remaining with Leeds until his contract runs down or making a loan move, which could open doors to either secure more gametime or potentially pave the way for permanent relocation elsewhere. Leeds is reportedly inclined to not sanction any permanent exits at this juncture, preferring to keep Gelhardt on loan until they ascertain how he performs and adapts at another club.
While Gelhardt is still young and has great potential, the road to becoming a mainstay first-team player is clouded by uncertainties, particularly influenced by managerial changes. His terms with Leeds could make it difficult to find suitable long-term options if the club remains cautious about permanent sales for now.
Rooney’s departure signals not only disappointment for the players and fans alike but also raises concerns about how new management will approach upcoming deals and player selections. Another player gaining attention is Darko Gyabi, who has thrived on loan at Home Park, generating hope for what Gelhardt’s presence could contribute to the club's attacking flair.
The ramifications of Rooney’s dismissal are being felt across the board, intertwining issues of player confidence, transfer negotiations, and the aspirations of both the player and the club. Whether Gelhardt can still join Plymouth, or if he will need to look elsewhere remains to be seen, but the stakes are high as both he and the Argyle seek to navigate this challenging juncture.