Leeds United: Jaidon Anthony must capitalize on Wilfried Gnonto injury blow, form could force 49ers Enterprises transfer decision
Wilfried Gnonto is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines for Leeds United after suffering an ankle ligament injury and it’s now a potential chance for Jaidon Anthony to finally make his mark.
The Italian winger limped off after 21 minutes in the 0-0 midweek draw against Hull at the MKM stadium with an ankle problem, which has now been diagnosed as damage to his lateral ankle ligaments.
Farke confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday 22 September that it is “bad news” and he won’t play against Watford as they await a final assessment on his long he will be out of action.
“It’s bad news as he has done the lateral ankle ligaments,” he said. “We await the assessment this afternoon to see how long he will be out, but he definitely will not be available for tomorrow.”
Gnonto’s injury certainly doesn’t spell good news at Elland Road given how highly thought of he is at the club and in manager Daniel Farke but Leeds United possesses plenty of attacking options to immediately come in and make an impact.
Dan James, Crycensio Summerville, Ian Poveda, and Joe Gelhardt are all capable of taking Gnonto’s place in the team but Bournemouth loanee Anthony, who joined Elland Road on a season-long loan, will feel his Premier League-level experience will catapult him into Farke’s thinking to make an immediate impact in the Championship.
The 23-year-old winger is just as gifted and talented as any of the above names and is certainly a shoo-in to make an immediate impact given his recent success in the Championship the season before last as he formed a crucial component in Scott Parker’s promotion success at the Vitality Stadium during the 2021/22 campaign.
Anthony scored eight goals and provided six assists and also aided the Cherries’ quest to secure Premier League survival last season, under Gary O’Neil featuring across 30 top-flight games, so the 23-year-old is certainly well-equipped to thrive under Farke’s tutelage swiftly.
The 23-year-old London-born winger has been there and got the t-shirt and will be pushing for regular starts now after Gnonto’s injury blow.
Should Anthony maintain a consistent level while boosting the Whites’ chances of promotion this season, who knows, Farke may well be pushing the club’s owners 49ers Enterprises into a snap permanent transfer decision next summer.
The ball is in his court.
In other Leeds news, ‘Forced’ changes for Farke ahead of clash v Watford expected.