NEXT BIG THING
NAME: JOE GELHARDT
CLUB: Wigan
AGE: 17
POSITION: Striker
WHAT THEY SAY: Manchester United dumping Wigan out of the FA Youth Cup last week could have done rivals Liverpool a huge favour. Reports suggest it could pave the way for Jurgen Klopp to move in for Gelhardt before he turns 18 in May. The striker was injured for the 2-1 quarter-final defeat but has already played 16 times for Wigan’s first team in the Championship, mainly from the bench. Manager Paul Cook says: “He’s a fantastic talent who makes things happen. His time is coming, that’s for sure.”
WHAT HE SAYS: Everton are also in the hunt and Gelhardt revealed both of the local giants had their chances in the past when he extended his Latics deal in November until June 2021. “I’ve had eight years here but before I joined, I was rejected three or four times by local teams like Liverpool and Everton,” Gelhardt said. “The experience I’ve had at Wigan has been good, but I’ve worked hard for it.” HE COULD BE THE NEXT: Wayne Rooney or Michael Owen. It depends which half of Merseyside Gelhardt believes deserves a second chance.
ADAMA TRAORE says Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has unlocked the potential that is making him one of English football’s most feared forwards.
Traore joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy as an eight-year-old in 2004 and trained with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, before making a surprise switch to Aston Villa for £7million five years ago.
After one season atVilla Park, and with the club relegated, he moved to Middlesbrough, where he first worked with Aitor Karanka and later Tony Pulis.
He then joined Wolves for a club-record £18m in 2018 and has not looked back since.
“Nuno has been a massive figure for me,” said Traore. “It’s the confidence he gives me.
“From the first day I came to Wolves, he just made me feel he believes I can take on any player and make them struggle. That is massive for a player. A
LEE BOWYER has criticised the five months it took for Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla to be punished for racially abusing Jonathan Leko.
Casilla was last week banned for eight games and fined £60,000 for calling Charlton’s on-loan forward a “n ***** ” – but the Addicks boss said the wheels of justice turned too slowly.
Bowyer revealed Leko, whose loan spell at the Valley from West Brom was cut short by a serious knee injury, went into his shell as he waited for his complaint to be vindicated by an independent regulatory panel.
He said: “It should have been dealt with quicker. I don’t think it’s been fair on either club or the players involved.
“In my opinion, 22 weeks is too long to have something like that hanging over you, especially for a young player of 19 or 20. You could see he wasn’t himself. He’s a bubbly and confident lad and he was a bit quiet for a while after. But the group got him through.”
Bowyer rang the Congoleseborn player as soon as Casilla’s ban was announced, adding: “Jonathan was glad it’s all over and we can move on.”
BOWYER: Charlton boss says Leko was impacted by delay