The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 20th February) Leeds ready to cash in on Gnonto
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Good Morning. It's Friday 20th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds ready to cash in on Gnonto
Leeds United are preparing to listen to offers for Italian International forward Wilfried Gnonto this summer. The 22 year old has struggled for game time this season, starting just four league matches all season; the last time out being the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City at the end of November, coinciding with Farke’s shift to a 3-5-2 system. The formation prioritises wing-backs and central solidity, leaving little room for traditional wide attackers. In a setup that values tactical discipline over individual flair, Gnonto has struggled to carve out a role, enjoying only 99 minutes of league game time since the trip to the Etihad.
Gnonto arrived from FC Zurich in 2022, and quickly became a fan favourite, especially during The Whites promotion push last season. His pace, fearlessness, and low centre of gravity gave the side an edge when they desperately needed one. But Farke is in no hurry to change his system back, meaning he is likely to be on his way out of the club this summer. Despite only paying £5m for him, Leeds agreed an 'extraordinarily high' sell on clause, which is likely to be in the region of 40%. Given his poor figures this season (6.19 Whoscored rating, placing him 19th), the Elland Road hierarchy feel it's the right time to part ways.
Are duo back too early
Leeds United head into Saturday’s tough trip to Villa Park with a timely boost, as both Anton Stach and Pascal Struijk are back available for selection after spells on the sidelines with hip injuries. It’s hard to overstate just how important the pair have been to Leeds’ success this season. Stach, the German international, has been nothing short of outstanding, topping the WhoScored ratings with an impressive 7.11, while Struijk isn’t far behind, sitting fourth overall on 6.80. Their returns instantly lift the mood around Thorp Arch and give Daniel Farke some welcome options.
Villa Park is never an easy place to go, and the temptation to throw both players straight back into the starting XI is understandable. But there are lingering concerns that they may be being rushed back too soon. Hip injuries can be notoriously tricky, and the last thing Leeds need at this stage of the campaign is to lose two of their most reliable performers for an extended period. Of course, having Stach’s energy and composure in midfield, alongside Struijk’s calm authority at the back, could make a huge difference on Saturday. Still, the bigger picture has to matter. Any points from Villa would be massive, but protecting key players for the long run has to come first.
Lies, damned lies and statistics
“There are lies, damned lies, and statistics,” as the saying goes, and nowhere does that phrase feel more relevant than when you start digging into Leeds United’s numbers this season. On the surface, things don’t look too bad. Since the beginning of December, the Whites have lost just twice – a record bettered only by the two Manchester clubs. For a team scrapping to stay in the Premier League, that kind of resilience should inspire confidence. Scratch a little deeper, though, and the data begins to tell a far more unsettling story.
Leeds’ away form, quite simply, is alarming. Daniel Farke’s side have managed just one victory on the road all season – a 3–1 win at Wolves back in September. Even more worrying, you have to trawl nearly three years back to find the last time Leeds picked up three points away from home, another trip to Molineux in March 2023. For a club fighting relegation, that isn’t just a weakness; it’s a flashing red warning light.
And yet, there are genuine signs of progress. Since December, no Premier League side has collected more draws than Leeds, with seven in that period. It paints the picture of a team that’s harder to beat, better organised, and increasingly polished under Farke. The problem, of course, is that draws don’t buy you much breathing room when the table is this tight. With just six points separating Leeds from the bottom three, every weekend comes with an anxious glance over the shoulder.
Elsewhere, rivals are finding momentum. West Ham, after splashing £45m last month, suddenly look one of the league’s most in-form sides, while Nottingham Forest were electric under Vítor Pereira as they dismantled Fenerbahçe last night. Survival for the Whites suddenly feels a little less certain. All of which sets up a nerve-wracking finale. Leeds’ final-day trip to West Ham has all the hallmarks of a fixture that should come with a health warning. Lose, and it could mean another summer of uncertainty, fending off suitors for key players while plotting yet another rebuild. Statistics may lie, but by May, the table never does!