Leeds United are set to square off against Tottenham on Monday night, with a win mathematically securing their place in the Premier League for next season.
However, if title-chasing Arsenal beat West Ham on Sunday, then that will be enough to see the Whites over the line and take the pressure off Daniel Farke’s men.
With Leeds being virtually safe, one player who has been stuck on the fringes of the squad so far this season could finally get a significant amount of gametime to impress following an injury to his teammate.
Noah Okafor’s injury could give Willy Gnonto a rare run of games
Noah Okafor has been our best player recently, with the Swiss winger managing to notch six goals and three assists in his last 10 appearances for the Whites in all competitions.
The 25-year-old was one of Leeds’ marquee signings last summer, arriving for a fee of around £18million. And since landing in West Yorkshire, he has made that left winger position his own.
So, with Okafor on the left and Brenden Aaronson more often than not being deployed on the right wing, Willy Gnonto has found himself frozen out of the starting lineup this season. But, this could be set to change.
With Farke being ill, his assistant Edmund Riemer took charge of the press conference on Friday. In which, he confirmed that Okafor has sustained a calf injury. This fresh setback rules him out for at least two of United’s remaining three games United in the Premier League.
“Noah (Okafor) picked up a calf strain. He’ll miss the next two games.” Riemer confirmed.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be available for the last game. He had an injury after the FA Cup game in his right calf, but in the Burnley game it was his left, so he will likely be out for the next two games.”
Gnonto has been limited to just four Premier League starts all season. The most recent of these came all the way back in November against Manchester City. Okafor’s injury, though, has seemingly given the Italian a golden opportunity. He could finally get some substantial Premier League minutes under his belt.
These could be Willy Gnonto’s last opportunities to impress at Leeds United
Due to the 22-year-old’s limited involvement this season, there has been speculation regarding Gnonto’s future at Elland Road.
We all know that the youngster is currently one of the best technical players we have on our books. However, it is clear that Farke doesn’t trust Gnonto enough to start him for one reason or another.
This is why the next two games against Spurs and then Brighton could potentially be defining for Gnonto’s Leeds career.
If he impresses, he could find himself in line for more gametime next season. However, if he fails to make an impression, it could be the final nail in the coffin for Gnonto when it comes to impressing Farke enough to start him.
It is hard to imagine that Gnonto will tolerate another season like this in West Yorkshire. He has been given just 457 league minutes. So, if he starts against Spurs, it may be a case of now or never. He must prove he is good enough for Leeds in the Premier League.
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