Leeds United reunion with ex-loanee already set up as pre-season starts early

Less than a week before pre-season starts, two of Leeds United’s fringe names from last season have already been reunited this summer. Jaidon Anthony may be bound for Bournemouth’s training camp next month, but last term’s loanee has been spotted working abroad with Whites striker Joe Gelhardt.

Anthony picked up 38 appearances during his season under Daniel Farke, but they only translated into six starts across all competitions. Unfortunately for the winger, he was competing with Crysencio Summerville, the Championship’s best player, for a starting berth.

Gelhardt had a similarly, if not more, frustrating campaign. The 22-year-old had 10 outings in the league all season, but only ended with 23 more league minutes than Luis Sinisterra, who left the club on September 1.

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Keen to see more action next season, the pair have been recorded training in Dubai together. Charlie Cresswell was spotted working with Gelhardt last week, while Archie Gray was seen at the same complex earlier in the summer.

Elite Sports Performance, a training venue in Dubai, regularly brings together professional footballers keen to get into shape when they are not working with their clubs on a daily basis. Whether it’s during international breaks or the close season, players have been using the centre in United Arab Emirates to sharpen up.

While Anthony’s future with the Cherries is unclear, Gelhardt has three years still to run on his Whites contract. After an explosive start to his senior career with Leeds, Gelhardt has struggled over the past two seasons, which included a loan stint at Sunderland.

Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph all ended last season ahead of Gelhardt in the pecking order. The Liverpudlian will have his work cut out to edge ahead of them before the start of next season.