International breaks can be nervy and anxious periods for Premier League managers. Coaches across the top flight will have been watching performances through their fingers at times, hoping and praying that their players can return unscathed.
Javi Gracia will have been no different as members of his Leeds United squad travelled far and wide to represent their countries. Unfortunately for Gracia, both Wilfried Gnonto and Max Wober seem to have picked up small issues over the last few days.
Wober suffered a thigh injury while representing Austria, while Gnonto could be seen limping out of Italy’s win over Malta with what has been described as a sprained ankle. The pair will be assessed on their return to Thorp Arch before a decision is made on whether they will be fit to take on Arsenal on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium.
Their issues will have come as a huge source of frustration for Gracia, but there has been some good news to come from the international break, too, with several men impressing on their journeys, most notably Weston McKennie and Brenden Aaronson. The Leeds pair have produced sparkling performances with the USA over the last few days with McKennie, in particular, earning rave reviews.
Both men started for the managerless US national side as they travelled to Grenada on Friday night and played key roles the 7-1 win. McKennie grabbed two goals in the game, his first in US colours since February 2022, while Aaronson also got in on the action with an effort in the first half.
Unfortunately, Aaronson dropped to the bench as America took on El Salvador in Orlando last night, but McKennie started the contest and made the decisive defence-splitting pass to set up Ricardo Pepi’s second half winner. The pass was even described as ‘Pirlo-esque’ by US outlet Goal, picking out the run of Pepi from within his own half.
Gracia will have watched on in delight at the pair’s displays and as he prepares his Leeds side for the business end of the season, he’ll be hoping they can return to West Yorkshire with a spring in their step and added confidence. In truth, both Aaronson and McKennie probably needed the boost such performances can bring.
Despite playing key roles at Elland Road since the Spaniard was appointed at the end of February, neither man has really done enough to completely nail down their place within the side. Aaronson has started all four games under Gracia in the number 10 role and while he has brought energy and hard work to the Whites, he has struggled to find that killer edge.
McKennie, on the other hand, has been in and out of the side and he probably hasn’t made the impact most would have hope for following his loan move from Juventus. With unconfirmed reports regarding the fitness of Tyler Adams, though, he could be a hugely important figure during Leeds’ run-in.
The same can be said for Aaronson in the current 4-2-3-1 system. Gracia, then, will be pleased to welcome them back to Thorp Arch on the back of such strong displays in the CONCACAF Nations League and he’ll be hope to see them carry that form into the Premier League relegation battle.
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