Daniel Farke could expose 49ers at Leeds United this weekend with Facundo Buonanotte call
Facundo Buonanotte could start Leeds United’s FA Cup clash with Birmingham.
Plenty was made of the lack of business done by Leeds United in the winter, but only once the season has ended will the full extent of that decision come clear.
As of right now, the Whites are six points clear of the relegation zone, affording them some room to have a real go in the FA Cup alongside it, ahead of their clash with Birmingham.
Daniel Farke will make changes, and there’s a strong case to be made that Buonannotte will be handed his first start since arriving at Elland Road on loan from Brighton.
But if not, then it will say a lot about the deal to bring him here in the first place.
Did Daniel Farke actually want to sign Facundo Buonanotte?
Farke has very rarely been explicit when talking about his demands in public, but his general demeanour made it clear in the winter what he wanted.
And that was a new striker to not only partner Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but also replace him in times of need.
That never happened, and Buonanotte was the only arrival at Elland Road, and his lack of gametime since arriving has suggested that it was never a deal pushed by Farke.
Should the Argentine fail to make the starting 11 against Birmingham, then that decision will become even clearer, having played just 24 minutes in the five games he has been available for since his winter move.
It very much felt like a signing pushed by the 49ers to avoid a completely failed transfer window, and that will be exposed further should that be the case this weekend.
Who could start ahead of Buonanotte vs Birmingham?
Buonanotte isn’t the only Leeds forward to have had a lack of gametime as of late, with the same to be said for Willy Gnonto and Dan James.
Gnonto has been a regular off the bench for the Whites, whereas the latter has only recently returned from injury.
There’s a good chance that both of them start this weekend’s FA Cup clash, having played just 146 minutes of football between them since the start of January.
Should that be the case, it would not be a good look for Buonanotte, nor for the 49ers, who have faced plenty of scrutiny for their business over the last 12 months.
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