New solution to Leeds United’s unanswered Willy Gnonto dilemma revealed as coach faces Elland Road jury - YEP 28/4/23
Leeds United were in need of a change at home to Leicester City in midweek, which did not come. Javi Gracia must find a way to alter Leeds’ fortunes at the very least this weekend
Joe Donnohue
The Whites’ trip to Bournemouth could prove to be Leeds’
final fixture against a relegation rival this season, meaning United must take
maximum points or face an uphill struggle to remain in the Premier League.
In recent weeks, supporters have been left perplexed by head
coach Javi Gracia’s reluctance to field breakout talent Willy Gnonto, despite
the Italy international’s ability to change games, as demonstrated throughout
the 2022/23 campaign.
During Leeds’ most recent outing, the 1-1 draw with
Leicester City in which they surrendered a one-goal lead with ten minutes to
play, Gnonto was left to spectate on the touchline, an unused substitute,
despite repeated chants from those inside Elland Road imploring the head coach
to bring on the diminutive livewire.
On several occasions, Gracia has had the question put to him
by journalists: ‘Why is Gnonto not in contention to start?’
Each time, the Spaniard replies in kind, insisting there is
no vendetta towards the Italian, that he is pleased with the teenager’s efforts
in training but that he has other preferable options such as Luis Sinisterra
and Crysencio Summerville. By and large, supporters have deemed such responses
unsatisfactory.
Gnonto has featured nominally as a left-sided attacker this
season and with injury to Sinisterra on Tuesday night, it is unlikely the
Colombian will make the matchday squad this weekend. Still, it is probable
Gracia selects Summerville ahead of Gnonto in his starting XI versus
Bournemouth.
That said, if Gnonto is once more consigned to the
substitutes’ bench for the duration, in what could prove to be another pivotal
fixture in the Whites’ season, the wave of questions from reporters and
supporters will come again, particularly considering Gracia’s reduced number of
suited left-sided attackers at the Vitality Stadium.
There is, however, an alternative solution. Brenden
Aaronson’s recent form at No. 10 has left supporters disaffected by his
repeated selection. Consequently the American was dropped to the bench for
Tuesday’s draw with the Foxes and is unlikely to be recalled to the starting
XI, replaced instead by Rodrigo Moreno in support of centre-forward Patrick
Bamford.
But, what Gracia could do instead, or what he may be forced
to do if either Bamford or Rodrigo are incapable of starting, is to field
Gnonto in the No. 10 position. A major gripe within the fanbase has been
Aaronson’s perceived weakness in possession, too easily bundled off the ball by
opponents in the final third, thwarting Leeds’ attacking moves.
Gnonto has demonstrated he is capable of protecting the
ball, weaving through challenges and has linked up well with Leeds’ attacking
options when driving through the middle. Even if he is not selected in this
role from the start, it is something to try given how insipid United have been
in recent games.
Gracia must change something at Bournemouth. The obvious
choice would be a Gnonto recall, in one of several functions. Doubtless, Leeds
fans making their longest away trip of the season will hardly care if he is
deployed on the left or through the middle – they simply want to see a player
who inspires hope that all is not lost in their bid to stay in the top flight.
