Leeds United have reached the end of the Premier League’s World Cup break and the restart of the domestic season is almost upon us. In just a few days’ time, Leeds will welcome Manchester City to Elland Road and they’ll be raring to go after playing three mid-season friendlies over the last few weeks.
The Whites saw off Elche during their warm weather training camp in Spain, before edging their way past the challenge of Real Sociedad on home soil last Friday. Jesse Marsch’s side came unstuck against Monaco on Wednesday, losing 4-2, but the head coach will approach the restart with confidence that his side are equipped and able to pull away from the relegation zone and climb the table in the New Year.
Here’s a look at some of the winners and losers from Leeds’ mid-season break.
Read more: Every word Jesse Marsch said on Leeds United injuries, Mark Jackson and January transfer window
Winners
Wilfried Gnonto
The youngster only made his Leeds debut in October, stepping off the bench against Liverpool, but he seems to have established himself as a key member of Marsch’s squad. So much so, that he is almost certainly in contention for a place against City and the head coach would have no worries about selecting him into the starting XI.
Gnonto wasn’t alone in struggling to make an impact against Elche, but he was, without doubt, one of Leeds’ best on home soil against Sociedad, causing problems with the ball at his feet and looking to make things happen. He repeated the feat against Monaco, asking real questions of the Ligue 1 side’s defence, particularly late in the game.
He didn’t find the back of the net, but he won the penalty that Gelhardt scored from with the final kick of the game.
Joe Gelhardt
Gelhardt emerges from the World Cup break with two goals to show for his efforts and he’ll be keen to kick on and build on that haul in the New Year. He looked short of confidence before the lay-off and, after struggling to impress on a regular basis for the Whites, he found himself playing a bit-part role under Marsch.
However, he popped up with a goal in Spain against Elche and he turned in a promising showing against Real Sociedad, having a hand in the build-up play that led to Rodrigo’s match winning goal. He carried a threat against Monaco, too, combining well with the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Sam Greenwood before scoring from the spot in stoppage time.
Robin Koch
The defender only managed 45 minutes of match action during the break after picking up a calf issue that ruled him out of the first two December clashes. However, he certainly looked ready for the restart against Monaco as he produced a dominant first half display that will send him back into the Premier League with plenty of confidence.
He nodded Leeds in front against Philippe Clement’s side and provided a steadying presence at the back, alongside Luke Ayling, before being replaced at half-time.
Losers
Jack Harrison
The winger will have been keen to use the mid-season break to build up some confidence and shake off a couple of injury issues after hitting a slump in form before the lay-off. However, it’s fair to say the last few weeks have not gone to plan for Harrison.
After failing to make a lasting impact in the match against Elche, Harrison was withdrawn from the starting XI against Sociedad after pulling up in the warm-up and complaining of tightness. That issue was enough to see him sit out of the clash with Monaco, too, meaning he’ll be fighting to prove his fitness over the next couple of days.
Marsch is confident that he’ll be ready to take on his former side next week, but Harrison will have been keen to get more than just 61 minutes under his belt before Christmas.
Crysencio Summerville
The mid-season break didn’t go as planned for Summerville, either, as the 21-year-old limped out of the club’s clash with Elche after just 10 minutes. The winger was in red hot form leading into the break, scoring in each of Leeds’ last four Premier League games, and Marsch will be hoping the injury doesn’t kill the momentum he has built up.
Summerville was due to carry Josh Warrington’s belt to ring earlier this month, but pulled out due to the injury and he sat out of the two games at Elland Road. As such, he is another one in a race against time to be fit enough to take on City.
Again, Marsch is hopeful that he will be able to be involved and he’ll be keen to see the exciting youngster pick up where he left off.
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