Wilfried Gnonto has played a significant role in Leeds United's last two results amid calls for him to start on Saturday
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
12:20, 16 Dec 2025
Wilfried Gnonto has been instrumental off the bench in the last two games
View 2 Images
Wilfried Gnonto has been instrumental off the bench in the last two games(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Wilfried Gnonto has two assists in as many games and both for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. After winning the penalty against Liverpool, the Italian whipped in an inch-perfect cross for his striker to nod home at Brentford.
Both of these impact plays came after coming off the bench and some supporters are now calling for Gnonto to start against Crystal Palace. The Leeds United winger has only started one game since August and in it, he was hooked at half-time against Manchester City.
Of course, that was the game that sparked the revival in form for Daniel Farke, who switched to the 3-5-2 system. In the first half, Gnonto was essentially playing as a second left-back at times. He allowed Mathues Nunes to drift off his back in the lead up to the first-minute opener.
It has been a stop-start season for the 22-year-old. After beginning, and frustrating, in the opening three matches, Gnonto was benched for Brenden Aaronson against Fulham.
Soon afterwards he picked up a calf injury before requiring minor surgery on a hernia. In all, he missed six weeks and seven games of action as a result. After his comeback in the final 10 minutes against Aston Villa came the match at Man City.
He failed to get off the bench against Chelsea before helping to turn the tide against Liverpool and then Brentford. Perhaps only in these past two weeks has Gnonto worked his way back up to full fitness. Yet he might now also be a victim of his own, and the team's, success.
There is no denying that Leeds have played better after switching to 3-5-2. Of course, this system negates the need for wingers, with wing-backs taking up that mantle. As seen against Man City, Gnonto is not a wing-back.
The last two times Gnonto has come on has seen a formation change to 4-2-3-1. Against Liverpool he came in on the left and at Brentford, he was deployed on the right. So his versatility is an asset for Leeds.
He will have to show still more versatility if he is indeed to start in the 3-5-2 set-up. The only feasible place he can play is as the second striker for Calvert-Lewin - and if Lukas Nmecha is available then there is little chance of this happening.
Interestingly, Gnonto would have come onto the field in a 3-5-2 formation on Sunday had Brentford not scored just before he and Brenden Aaronson were about to come on. Farke admitted afterwards he changed his formation plans once the goal went in.
Leeds United Manager Daniel Farke sends on Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson
View 2 Images
Leeds United Manager Daniel Farke sends on Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson(Image: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)
Would he have played up top? Gnonto played as a supporting striker when he came on against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup - but that was only the second time he had played in the role in Leeds colours.
The last time he started as a centre-forward was a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City in August 2023. He has led the line for Italy’s Under-21s in years gone by but Gnonto is inexperienced in the position at senior level - especially compared to Noah Okafor, who was often used as a striker by AC Milan.
And the reality is that, currently, Gnonto is better from the bench anyway. In his last 10 Premier League starts, including in the 2022/23 relegation season, he has yielded two assists from the wing - the same amount as in his past two appearances off the bench.
Not only is he an impact player but he is well-suited to a 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-3 system that needs wingers. Farke has shown that he isn't afraid to switch to either formation mid-game and Gnonto has been a key beneficiary of this.
Admittedly, if Gnonto does carry on his good form then there will be a case to answer in regards to ensuring a player gets the game time he deserves.
It is important that Farke’s mantra of meritocracy is upheld for squad harmony purposes - Gnonto has admitted that it is "not easy" to be left out of the line up.
But as to whether he currently starts in a 3-5-2 formation, the parameters of the system naturally make it hard for Gnonto to squeeze in, espcially amid the strike partnership between Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin.
Article continues below
And after all, the past two games have shown Gnonto still has an important role to play even if he doesn't start.