This evening, the attacker could be given an opportunity to impress right away.
Leeds United will look to make it four wins in a row when they travel to Stoke City this evening in the Championship.
Last time out, the Whites came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 against Norwich City, thanks to a Shane Duffy own goal and a Crysencio Summerville brace that threw the away end into a frenzy.
Daniel Farke is expecting a tough effort from the opponents ahead of this match against the Potters, which may need some changes to his starting lineup.
What’s the most recent Leeds United squad news?
Farke revealed that there were no new injury concerns in his team following their win against Norwich, but Junior Firpo, Djed Spence, and Stuart Dallas are still out.
The German head coach could theoretically choose the same starting XI as last time out, but considering the Championship’s rigorous schedule, it would be prudent for him to use the entire breadth of his squad.
Having said that, he could replace Dan James, who was wasteful against Norwich, with Wilfried Gnonto.
How did Dan James fare in his match against Norwich?
The quick-footed winger terrorised the Canaries‘ back line with his blistering pace, but once in position to make the last pass or cross, he lost his cool.
Throughout his career, James has been chastised for his wastefulness in the final third, termed “headless” by pundit Darren Bent, and despite Leeds’ relegation to the Championship, that remains a pattern that haunts the remainder of his game.
The 26-year-old was menacing in the build-up phase during his 84 minutes on the pitch at Carrow Road, but he lacked substance to go with his approach play, save from supplying the cross that was mistakenly turned into his own goal by Duffy.
James only completed one successful dribble, misfired two of his eight attempted crosses, lost control 17 times, and missed one major chance, according to SofaScore.
That is an indicator, if one was needed, that the former Manchester United man allows the ground swallow him up when he finds himself in a difficult situation, rather than remaining collected and creating a piece of brilliance to go with it.
Gnonto’s performances, on the other hand, portray a picture of someone who, having burst onto the Premier League scene last season, can give the X Factor in the final third.
This season, how has Wilfried Gnonto done for Leeds?
Few anticipated Wilfried Gnonto to still be playing in the Championship after submitting a written transfer request in the summer.
However, a deal never materialised, and the Italian now looks destined to play a key role in the Whites’ promotion push.
Former Leeds assistant coach Michael Skubala praised the “special” attacker, who provided an assist off the bench for Crysencio Summerville’s curled effort on his return from injury.
According to SofaScore, Gnonto had more successful dribbles than James per game (2.2/0.6), a superior pass completion (82%/77%), and less major opportunities wasted in his six outings under Farke this season.
While James has four assists to Gnonto’s one, if granted a start against Stoke, the 20-year-old may show that, unlike the Welshman, he has the ability to punish teams emphatically.
The Potters will be stunned if the diminutive adolescent is released from the start.
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