Former Premier League striker Michael Owen believes that Leeds United manager Javi Gracia could have a 'blind spot' to Wilfried Gnonto after he saw no action against Leicester the other night.
The Italian international spent the entire game on the bench despite both calls from fans to bring him on after Luis Sinisterra's injury in the first half, and Rodrigo's substitution in the second half where Gracia instead opted for out-of-form Brenden Aaronson.
Gnonto has often been a bright spark for Leeds in a dim season so far, with pundits and fans alike unable to understand why he's being shunned from the starting XI so often by the Spaniard.
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But in a discussion with Jermaine Beckford and Robbie Savage on BT Sport after the draw, Owen explained that it's possible Gracia has a 'blind spot' to the star because he's a 'luxury player'.
"Do you know what? As soon as Luis Sinisterra got injured you could hear the whole stadium just erupt with Willy Gnonto - they started singing his song," Beckford said.
"There’s no doubt he’s a fan favourite, he’s a fantastic football player. He’s one of those players that as soon as he picks the ball up he’s so direct but his close control, such focus, such passion and the drive - the fans buzz off that sort of stuff. That’s what you need, especially when you’re at home.
"I don’t know [why he wasn’t brought on], if I’m being completely honest. I don’t know. I don’t know [why he wasn’t brought on], if I’m being completely honest."
"Certain managers are like that though, aren’t they?" Owen responded. "With that type of player, certain managers love them and think they can be a game-changer.
"But, I think you look at quite a lot of managers about those luxury players, dare I say it. Especially in a relegation battle, they’ve got a blind spot to them."
"But he works hard so when we speak about luxury players we don’t speak about the work ethic of the luxury players, we talk about how neat and tidy they are on the ball," Beckford replied.
"He’s got the other side of the game to him as well - he’s got a little bit of a naughty streak if need be, he grinds, he works his socks off to get back and defend. He’s also fantastic in attack so I don’t understand it."
"I think at home, at one one, you bring him on. Here with the crowd at one one, you have to bring him on. It’s a poor decision," Savage chimed in.
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