The new January signing is eligible to feature for Leeds United this weekend, though the question is - will he?
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:00, 16 Jan 2026
Facundo Buonanotte at Thorp Arch yesterday
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Facundo Buonanotte at Thorp Arch yesterday(Image: Malcolm Bryce/Leeds United via Getty Images)
Leeds United fans will see Saturday’s game against Fulham as an opportunity to get three points on the board, despite the good form of the Cottagers.
Marco Silva’s side have not lost a game in six outings across all competitions and currently sit ninth in the Premier League. The visitors, though, will continue to be without key duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, who are due to play in the AFCON third-place play-off this weekend.
Leeds are hoping to use their momentum to roll over Fulham, having lost just one game in their past nine after a run that included Liverpool twice, Chelsea and Manchester United.
However, it does remain true that they have not registered a Premier League win since that 4-1 thumping of Crystal Palace five games ago. Context is king and scorelines alone do not tell half of the story.
Leeds will feel capable of avenging September's agonising defeat at Craven Cottage following Gabriel Gudmundsson’s heart-breaking and bizarre stoppage-time own goal.
Will Buonanotte make the bench?
Facundo Buonanotte has only just walked through the doors of Thorp Arch yet could make the cut for Saturday's game. Whether he will or not is a different matter.
He has played only 45 minutes of Premier League football all season, having been used as a rotation player by initial loan club Chelsea.
The 21-year-old has played three Champions League games and four cup fixtures, though. He will certainly not be starting as a result of his reduced game time, with the very maximum inclusion being a place on the bench, surely.
Either way, him signing before the cut-off deadline of midday on Friday means he is at least technically eligible to take part. Whether from the stands or the bench, the camera lenses will be trained on him.
Lucas Perri
Daniel Farke is expected to stick with Lucas Perri in goal this weekend, despite his public criticism of him after his last two outings. Having made a “mistake” against Manchester United for rushing off his line, as Farke put it, he failed to keep out Newcastle United’s saveable winner.
Some supporters have called for Karl Darlow to come in for Perri, who has earned audible groans from the terraces at times. There has been an obvious murmur of anxiety when the ball is passed back to the goalkeeper amid his poor distribution.
Eyes will be trained on how he fares against Fulham given the outright singling out by Farke. From now on it will be a test of resolve and what kind of character he is when responding to heat.
Harry Wilson
Leeds were after two Fulham stars this summer, one of whom was Rodrigo Muniz. He will not be taking to the pitch at Elland Road this weekend having been out for months with a hamstring injury that required surgery.
On the other foot, deadline day target Harry Wilson is in the form of his life. Six goals and four assists in his last 12 games has been the catalyst for Fulham’s recent good form.
The Welshman was on the brink of signing for Leeds on summer deadline day, having signed all the paperwork amid waiting for the green light from Fulham. But the London club pulled the plug at the last minute, leaving Leeds frustrated.
Wilson went close with a free kick in the reverse fixture, with Darlow having to claw away a fine save. In a different world, Leeds fans might have loved seeing Wilson score at Elland Road - but in this world, right now, they are very much hoping he doesn’t.
Right-back selection
Jayden Bogle is fit to play on Saturday, having recovered from his calf injury which has forced him to miss the last three matches. It means there is a decision to be made at right wing-back.
James Justin has performed brilliantly in Bogle’s absence and after his FA Cup goal at Derby County on Sunday, Farke dropped comments that left ambiguity who he sees as the first choice pick.
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Few would mind seeing Justin start against Fulham and he might well do given Bogle has had a number of weeks off through injury. Another strong performance from the summer signing will ramp up the debate ahead of the following clash at Everton.