Wilfried Gnonto has no case for Leeds United start vs Sunderland, stats from last five appearances reek
Leeds United fans haven’t seen the best of Wilfried Gnonto at Elland Road this season.
The Italian winger hasn’t been a regular in Daniel Farke’s plans this season, starting just four games in the Premier League.
Against Manchester City at home on 28 February, the forward came on for the final 15 minutes of the game but was unable to make much of an impact.
The German manager will surely look to make a few changes for Sunderland’s trip to Elland Road on 3 March, but the former Internazionale youngster would undoubtedly be lucky to be in contention.
Daniel Farke will be tired of Wilfried Gnonto displays
It isn’t surprising that Gnonto hasn’t been one of Farke’s go-to players this season, given his consistently underwhelming performances.
Against Man City, the Italy Under-21 international replaced Ilia Gruev in the 75th minute, managing nine touches, losing possession three times, completing just 67 per cent of his passes and committing one foul, as per Sofascore.
The 22-year-old remained on the bench during the three-game unbeaten run that included Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Aston Villa.
At Elland Road, the forward once again came on as a substitute in the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal, managing a Sofascore rating of 6.4 in his nine minutes on the pitch.
Gnonto played 20 minutes against Fulham on 17 January as the Whites won 1-0, managing 10 touches, losing possession three times, completing 71 per cent of his passes and losing all three of his duels.
In the 4-3 loss to Newcastle, the Italian winger came on in stoppage time, while the 1-1 draw to Manchester United saw the young forward lose possession five times, complete 63 per cent of his passes and lose three of his duels.
Lukas Nmecha has to replace one player in Leeds United vs Sunderland
Lukas Nmecha has done enough to be a regular starter for Leeds, but Farke has had different plans even when he’s been fit.
With the Whites failing to make the most of their chances against Man City, the former Wolfsburg forward should start against Sunderland.
Brenden Aaronson has been nowhere near his best at the West Yorkshire outfit and should be dropped to the bench.
The partnership of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha has done relatively well for Farke and it would make sense to count on the two for a crunch tie against the Black Cats.
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