Willy Gnonto could be Leeds United saviour v Derby after what he’s done recently
Willy Gnonto could be the saviour that Leeds United need to get back to winning ways in the Championship after their 1-0 defeat to Blackburn last weekend.
The West Yorkshire outfit were given the chance to claim the top spot back but, in the end, found themselves denied that opportunity thanks to a Todd Cantwell penalty.
None of Leeds’ players had particularly strong games at Ewood Park but of those who featured, Willy Gnonto was arguably the Whites’ best player.
That is, at least the opinion of Graham Smyth who believes the attacker was “dangerous” throughout the game.
“Willy Gnonto was dangerous in spats but besides that, did anyone step up and take responsibility,” he said on the Inside Elland Road Podcast (5 December).
Why Willy Gnonto could be the man that Leeds United need
Granted, Leeds’ form has been fairly impressive recently with their loss against John Eustace’s men likely just a bump in the road but if they want to win the title, the West Yorkshire can’t afford to miss out on many more points.
The game on 7 December against the Rams should be a walk in the park for a team of Leeds’ calibre but if they play like they did against Rovers, they could find themselves in for another surprise.
That is unless Gnonto can come in and save the day for the West Yorkshire outfit once again.
As per Sofascore, in their game against Rovers, the Italy international was on the pitch for 69 minutes and had 41 touches of the ball while having a 74 per cent pass accuracy throughout the clash.
Thanks to his attacking prowess, he managed to hit three shots on target and generated an xG of 0.77.
While six of his 23 passes in the game went wayward, he managed to get 100 per cent of his long balls to their expected destinations and also completed 100 per cent of the dribbles he attempted.
He did miss one big chance at Ewood Park but aside from that, it was a fairly solid showing from the attacker.
Gnonto was also defensively sound as he won 66 per cent of the ground duels he attempted and 100 per cent of those in the air.
If Farke wants his team to get back to winning ways against Paul Warne’s men, he’d be silly to not consider starting the Italian once again so he can try and extend his impressive run of form.
In other Leeds news, Adam Pope has shared his thoughts on what Blackburn Rovers ace Lewis Travis did against the Whites at the weekend.
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