Leeds United: Dean Jones makes Wilfried Gnonto prediction after what he’s seen at Elland Road
Dean Jones believes that it is a matter of time before Wilfried Gnonto nails down a regular starting spot for Leeds United in the Championship.
The Italy international has started three successive matches for the Whites in all competitions, but two of those have come in the FA Cup.
Daniel Farke has favoured Daniel James on the right and Crysencio Summerville on the left, but the former is nursing an injury.
However, even when those two are fit and available, Sports Lens writer Jones believes Gnonto is too good not to be used more often.
“Gnonto will become a regular starter again,” he told Give Me Sport [9 February]. “He has had a bit of a rollercoaster season.
“But once he’s smiling again, we’ll see his best version. Leeds fans are trying to be patient with this guy. They’ve tried to give him chances.
“They obviously would have wavered at times over his loyalty to them and whether he wanted to be there.
“But I think in Gnonto’s defence, he’s just been trying to make sure he’s on the best career path for him.
“He isn’t playing anywhere near enough game time this season for what he would have wanted.
“On his day, he’s probably the best player in this division. Leeds have got something special up their sleeve here to use in these closing months.”
Wilfried Gnonto profiting from Daniel James absence
Gnonto has taken time to get going this season, not helped by the whole self-inflicted transfer drama that surrounded him last summer.
The 20-year-old effectively went on strike in an attempt to force through a move to Everton, who had multiple big-money offers rejected.
There is no shame in a player being desperate to play in the Premier League, but Gnonto had a duty to Leeds to help them back up.
Even up until a month or so ago, Gnonto was very much at a crossroads as he could not even get a start for a team in the second tier.
However, he has now scored in back-to-back matches – wins over Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle – and is finally building some momentum.
Gnonto looks set to start again against Rotherham United on Saturday (10 February), so it is very much his shirt to lose at this point.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has reacted to some “concerning” player news that emerged this week.
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