Leeds United’s victory over Nottingham Forest on Friday night saw them take a huge step towards Premier League survival.
The Whites ran out 3-1 victors over Sean Dyche’s side, which puts them three points ahead of the East Midlands club and six points clear of the relegation zone.
It was a dominant victory from Daniel Farke's men, who have turned Elland Road into something of a fortress this term. First-half goals from Jayden Bogle and Noah Okafor put them in the driver's seat before Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s clever chested goal secured the three points.
dominic-calvert-lewin-leeds
It was an important goal for Okafor, who has perhaps underwhelmed during his time at Elland Road so far.
Why Okafor’s place is still under threat after Forest
A big-name signing from AC Milan in the summer, it has not been easy for Okafor to adapt to the Premier League.
The Swiss international might have scored against Forest, but it is only the third goal he’s bagged all season.
Elliot-Anderson
The finish itself was put on a plate for him by James Justin. The full-back pulled the ball back to the edge of the six-yard box, where a waiting Okafor tapped home into an empty net.
It was, by all accounts, an easy strike.
The versatility of the Switzerland attacker has been useful to Farke, operating as a left-winger or at centre-forward.
Yet, you’d surely expect a return better than three goals and no assists. He’s averaging a goal every 472 minutes, which is certainly underwhelming.
The 25-year-old has come under criticism this term from former Leeds star Jon Newsome. He was critical of Okafor’s work on the ball and said the Whites “can’t afford to carry passengers” this season, as they battle to stay in the Premier League.
Okafor
It has certainly been a disappointing debut season, so perhaps it is time for Farke to turn to another member of his squad to replace Okafor.
Farke’s perfect Okafor replacement at Leeds
Leeds certainly have good squad depth in forward areas. It has been a season of little rotation up front by Farke, perhaps due to injury issues for the likes of Daniel James. The Welshman is not the only player that the Leeds boss could call upon.
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The dream Okafor replacement could well be another player who adds to the depth, Wilfried Gnonto.
It has been a strange campaign for the Italian attacker, with injury issues and a lack of opportunity, meaning minutes have been few and far between.
Gnonto-Leeds-United
Wilfried Gnonto
Indeed, the former Inter academy player has only featured in 16 games across all competitions this term.
He’s bagged once and assisted three goals in that time, good numbers when you consider he’s played an average of five full 90-minute games.
This surely seems like a waste of his talent, with Gnonto described as a “special” player by former Leeds caretaker manager Michael Skubala. That was on show last term, where he helped take the club to promotion with 15 Championship goals and assists.
His underlying numbers from the successful 2024/25 Championship campaign showed exactly what he can bring to the table.
He created 0.39 big chances and had 5.49 touches in the opposition box on average per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 12% and 14% of second-tier attackers.
Gnonto 24/25 Championship stats
Stat (per 90)
Goals
Assists
Dribble success rate
Big chances created
Touches in opposition box
Stats from Fotmob
In far fewer minutes, Gnonto is having a better impact this season than Okafor.
It is perhaps strange, then, that the 22-year-old has had such a fleeting opportunity this term, despite the obvious struggles of his new teammate.
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Perhaps it is time for Farke to end the experiment with Okafor in attack, and unleash Gnonto instead.
Leeds are looking for that extra edge to help them survive this season, and the answer could be lying in wait in the form of Gnonto.
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