Leeds United: Willy Gnonto proves Daniel Farke weapon to solve title race weakness
Willy Gnonto’s importance to the Leeds United title push has been made clear amid excellent away form in front of goal from the Italian.
The Whites have been formidable at Elland Road all season but have dropped points with much greater frequency on the road, making their travelling form somewhat of a weakness in the hunt for Premier League promotion.
So Gnonto’s six away goals in recent weeks can’t be underplayed in their significance, as the only game the team have lost on the road in 2024 was a tight 3-2 reverse in the FA Cup at Chelsea.
Daniel Farke’s side have picked up 13 points from 15 available away from Elland Road, while also prevailing in a cup replay at Plymouth Argyle in that time, and are now the form team at the top of the league just three points behind Leicester.
According to Opta’s Jonny Cooper, who posted on Twitter (9 March), Gnonto, 20, has scored with six of his past seven shots on target in away games (85%), making him a man for the tough assignments when the famous home atmosphere isn’t behind the players.
That the Italian international had to content himself with sitting on the bench for most of the first half of the campaign before stepping in and making a crucial contribution is all the more impressive.
His failed attempt to force a move to Everton in the summer looked like it might have ruined his chances of being an important man for Farke, but it appears full commitment in the months since made the German happy to turn to him when required.
That point didn’t come for weeks because of the stunning form of Crysencio Summerville and Dan James, but once the Welshman picked up an injury Gnonto was the next man up.
Junior Firpo hailed his teammate for an “unbelievable” impact at Leeds United this time last year [Leeds Live], and with six goals on the road, coming in wins at Bristol City, Swansea, Sheffield Wednesday, plus league and cup victories at Plymouth Argyle, he is providing a crucial encore.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have seen a youngster ruled out for multiple months with injury.
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