Matt Kilgallon believes Javi Gracia must unleash Wilfried Gnonto against Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend. Supporters have questioned why the Italian international has started the previous two games on the bench.
Since making his debut in October, Gnonto has arguably been Leeds United’s best attacking player, earning rave reviews from rival fans and pundits. The £4million paid to FC Zurich was one of the steals of the season, with the 19-year-old already proving he can cut it in the Premier League.
However, new boss Gracia benched Gnonto for recent fixtures with Chelsea and Brighton. Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville were given the nod despite pleas for the mercurial talent to start.
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Frustrated Leeds fans have even called for all three to play, with Gnonto possibly operating in the number 10 role - currently filled by Brenden Aaronson. Former Whites defender Kilgallon has echoed those sentiments and wants to see the Italian given a chance on Saturday.
“He’s a threat, isn’t he? You get it out to him, he’s fresh,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “He gets the ball, he’s positive. He gets the crowd up, he gets it and people stand up.
“You hear the chairs bang as people get up. He’s got something and he comes on, and he puts a shift in straight away. And he does well, doesn’t he? For a sub, you ask him to do it and he does it.
“He put them on the back foot, didn’t he, and made Brighton get a little bit deeper. I like him, I think he’s a real threat. I’d like to see him start the next game. And I think he will. I think he has to.”
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