Leeds United youngster already reaping rewards as unlikely benefactor in transfer confusion - YEP 6/9/22
Leeds United’s transfer deadline day drama saw Daniel James depart on loan almost a year to the day since he signed for the club
By Joe Donnohue
Transfer deadline day is rarely a quiet affair at Elland
Road, especially in recent seasons.
Once again, Daniel James found himself embroiled in the
day’s drama and confusion as he was made to wait until after the deadline to
see his loan switch to Fulham confirmed.
The Welsh international ,who had been denied a Leeds move in
January 2019, looked to be on the verge of having his Elland Road exit
prevented, just 366 days after sealing a deadline day transfer to Leeds from
Manchester United.
In the end, Leeds managed to secure the addition of Willy
Gnonto from FC Zurich, meaning James’ exit was given the green light but for
the 24-year-old it must have felt like deja vu as clock ticked down on Thursday
night.
The situation arose after Leeds had been spurned in their
pursuit of Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng – the latter rejecting United with an
eleventh hour change of heart, preferring instead to join OGC Nice, only for
him to fail a medical and return to Olympique de Marseille where he had begun
the day.
The announcement of 18-year-old Gnonto’s signing well past
the deadline and into the small hours of Friday morning meant the squad was
lighter in terms of experience, but at least not in personnel.
The Italy international’s role at United is yet to be
revealed owing to the fact only a matter of weeks ago, amid widely-reported
interest in the player, Jesse Marsch stated Gnonto was not quite at the level
required for the Premier League.
His expedited arrival has had the unintended consequence of
reshuffling the hierarchy at Elland Road, nudging Dutch youth international
attacker Crysencio Summerville ahead in the pecking order.
Theoretically, with Dan James’ departure, Summerville is
expected to fill the Welshman’s minutes at first-team level, as one of the
club’s four wide attacking midfield options.
Luis Sinisterra, Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson will vie
for starts in the Premier League behind the centre-forward, but Summerville
will invariably become a first port of call from the bench.
The forward was at the centre of further VAR controversy
last weekend after being substituted on against Brentford.
Replays showed the 20-year-old attacker impeded by Bees
defender Aaron Hickey during the second half, except referee Robert Jones
deemed the challenge fair despite the Scottish full-back failing to win the
ball inside the penalty area.
Aside from the penalty that never was, Summerville’s
introduction in Marsch’s second tranche of substitutions at the Gtech Stadium
showed his faith in the youngster, sending him on to change Leeds’ fortunes
with more than half an hour of the contest remaining.
The Dutchman courted interest from German club Hamburger SV
in January and was open to a loan move for additional first-team minutes, but
was denied a temporary exit by then-manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Having been awarded a new contract this summer and the No.
10 shirt, Summerville’s importance in Marsch’s eyes appears to have increased.
As James left Elland Road and the inexperienced Gnonto
arrived, Summerville’s standing at United grew further, without so much as
kicking a ball.
