After a quiet first few months of the season, Willy Gnonto has reminded everyone exactly how dangerous he can be, scoring five goals in his past five games for Leeds United across all competitions.
Crucially, the Italian has broken the deadlock in three of those games, including Saturday’s match against Plymouth Argyle. The 20-year-old did an excellent job latching onto Georginio Rutter’s long pass and finding the bottom corner.
Willy Gnonto’s return to form came at an ideal moment for Leeds. Daniel James had been outstanding this season before suffering an injury in January’s win over Norwich City.
Willy Gnonto has left Daniel Farke with a tough dilemma, as Daniel James returns from injury.
James hasn’t started since then. So Gnonto has got the opportunity to stake a claim. And he has obviously seized the opportunity.
With that, Gnonto has created a major quandary for Daniel Farke ahead of Friday’s encounter against Leicester City at Elland Road.
Only Crysencio Summerville and Joel Piroe have had more league goals than James this season. And James has a propensity for getting Leeds off to a quick start. A quick start on Friday might be significant.
Both wingers have good claims to start against Leicester.
Farke will also be mindful of expecting too much from Archie Gray. Gray has excelled at right-back for much of the season. However, he has struggled against some of the division’s greatest wingers. And it appears like Stephy Mavididi may be his opponent when the Foxes visit town.
Like James, Mavididi has ten league goals this season. Gray is undoubtedly going to be tested. And James is likely to be his biggest supporter.
Farke’s decision to drop Gnonto, however, would be a huge one.
Unless there are injuries, most Leeds fans would be very confident in picking the most of the team Farke will field against Enzo Maresca’s men.
However, that right wing place may be one that is fraught with uncertainty. Gnonto deserves credit for making that happen since returning to the fold.
