Paul Robinson believes there is ‘no explanation’ as to why Javi Gracia has benched Wilfried Gnonto in Leeds United’s past few fixtures. He feels the winger has been their best player.
Leeds bought Gnonto last summer in a £4m transfer under Jesse Marsch and gave the 19-year-old a five-year contract. The Elland Road fanbase had to wait until October before the Italian made his Premier League bow. But he quickly emerged as one of their liveliest stars.
Gnonto took just two appearances off their bench to work his way into Marsch’s starting XI last November. He then opened each of his next 11 top-flight outings, ending with Gracia’s first match in charge. But the Spaniard has since only held the winger to a backup position.
Wilfried Gnonto has fallen to a backup role since Javi Gracia arrived at Leeds
Gracia dropped Gnonto to his bench over Leeds’ last two Premier League fixtures after the Italian started against Southampton. He also removed the winger an hour into the Whites’ 1-0 win over the Saints. Jack Harrison fed left-back Junior Firpo for their goal on 77 minutes.
Gnonto made way for Crysencio Summerville against Southampton and has stayed behind the 21-year-old since. He only played for the final 22 minutes against Chelsea plus another 24 against Brighton & Hove Albion. Yet Gnonto would help to rescue a point last Saturday.
What has Paul Robinson said on Javi Gracia benching Wilfried Gnonto?
Leeds salvaged a draw at home to the Seagulls as Harrison turned in Gnonto’s pass to pull level at 2-2. It marked the teenager’s second assist after recording one on his Elland Road debut against AFC Bournemouth last November. He has also scored twice over 15 outings.
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To now see Gnonto only hold a role from their bench under Gracia astounds former Leeds goalkeeper Robinson. He believes the Spaniard has no justification for dropping the player who has been the Whites’ best performer. But his defensive skills may have played a role.
“The big one, for me, is Gnonto,” Robinson told Sky Sports News (15/3, 11:52). “He’s been the best player in a Leeds shirt this season until the manager’s come in… No explanation…
“He’s been the best player in a Leeds shirt since his emergence into the team. Very direct, he’s a real goal threat – whether he’s coming in off the left or the right-hand side.
“He’s played Crysencio Summerville instead of him in a three in behind Patrick Bamford and he’s used him as an impact sub. And the time that he did play him, he brought him off.
“One of Leeds’ biggest problems this season has been conceding goals. Whether that’s something that he didn’t like [with] his defensive qualities or he didn’t like where he fitted into his system [played a role in Gracia’s decision to bench Gnonto could be the case].”
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