Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Tue 24 March 2026 16:40, UK

Wilfried Gnonto has done enough to be ahead of Daniel James in the pecking order at Leeds United this season.

Daniel Farke didn’t bring the Italian forward off the bench for the second consecutive Premier League game against Brentford at Elland Road on 21 March.

The 22-year-old has been a bit-part player for the Whites in the current campaign, but he’ll surely be wondering why James is getting opportunities over him.

Gnonto was key at Elland Road last season, and while fitness issues have hampered the forward in recent months, he surely has every right to question the German manager’s team selection in LS11.

Wilfried Gnonto season compared to Daniel James at Leeds United

James has struggled with injuries in the current campaign just like Gnonto, but the Wales international seems to be preferred by Farke.

In the last seven Premier League appearances, the former Manchester United winger has come off the bench five times compared to the Italian star’s two appearances over the same period.

Against Brentford, James played the final 15 minutes of the game, failing to complete any of his seven crosses, as per Sofascore.

The forward lost possession 10 times, and it’s fair to say that the German manager’s substitution didn’t have the desired effect.

Overall, the 28-year-old has played 422 league minutes in total compared to Gnonto’s 391, with the Italian registering one assist while the Welsh ace has failed to make a goal contribution.

James and Gnonto have usually come on in the final minutes of games this season, but it’s the former FC Zurich winger who’s been the more reliable option on the ball, completing 81 per cent of his passes, while the ex-Swansea ace recorded just 64 per cent passing accuracy.

Daniel Farke foolish in Premier League survival race

Farke should drop James from his plans in the final stretch of the season and, if necessary, turn his attention to Gnonto.

While the Welshman was pivotal in Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League, he’s clearly struggling to have a similar impact in the current campaign.

As things stand, the Whites are four points ahead of 18th-place West Ham United and the final seven games in the Premier League will determine what the future holds in the relegation battle.

The German manager can’t be sentimental and pick players based on past contributions and experience, leaving someone like James with an uphill battle to get back into the team.