Willy Gnonto has big fan in Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison, but Leeds United boss Javi Gracia seems less convinced
Clinton Morrison is a major supporter of Leeds United attacker Willy Gnonto even though Javi Gracia seems less impressed by the Italian.
The teenager has been the star of the show for periods of this season under Jesse Marsch, but has been dropped to the bench or substituted early in each of the Spaniard’s Premier League games in charge.
The explanation for the forward remaining an unused substitute for the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (4 April) was a combination of returning from injury and his replacements shining, and Morrison admitted Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra and company were on top of their game even without their star teammate.
Speaking on BBC Sport’s Football Daily after the game (3m 10s) the regular Sky Sports pundit said: “I thought [Leeds] were outstanding, on the front foot, Harrison causing problems.
“[Weston] McKennie, he’s a player in midfield by the way, always wants to look forward, neat and tidy, and they just looked a threat the whole game going forward, Sinisterra on the left-hand side.
“Because I’m a big Gnonto fan. I know he’s just coming back from injury, but Javi Gracia hasn’t really been playing him that much and when he does play him he drags him after 50-60 minutes. But I thought going forward tonight they were outstanding.”
Options
After four and a half months without a win prior to his arrival Gracia has now recorded three in six league games as Whites boss, and the come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Forest was a key one.
Harrison has shot back into form since his arrival as well, and if Sinisterra is now set to reprise his own early-season performances the club are very well placed to secure top flight survival.
In that context it is not a big issue that the manager has demoted Gnonto, and in the grand scheme of things it is a positive that the team is not so reliant on the talented youngster.
It is still a surprise however when he has picked up so many fans, both among pundits and clubs back in his homeland, that he is not even guaranteed a place in the Leeds United XI.
Premier League survival remains the priority for the next few weeks, so whoever Gracia decides to send out will be fine if they get results.
The club have got some impressive options in the wide forward areas, with Crysencio Summerville also in the mix, but whether the tough competition and a suspicion that the manager isn’t sold on him increases the chances that Gnonto is receptive to advances from Serie A will remain a factor heading into the summer.
In other Leeds United news, the club may be in line for a major boost in the transfer market with a world famous manager impressed.
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