Where does Facundo Buonanotte go from here after his poor FA Cup performance?
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
16:43, 16 Feb 2026
Facundo Buonanotte had a full debut to forget
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Facundo Buonanotte had a full debut to forget(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
When you chase something for so long and it turns out to be not as satisfying as you thought it would be, it can create a guttural sinking feeling.
At least Leeds United have not spent money on Facundo Buonanotte, will be the view of most fans who watched Sunday’s full debut. It’s hard to recall a first start that was as ineffective as his against Birmingham City.
"He's a very young player. Sometimes you forget a bit about it when you speak about him," said Daniel Farke, who had hooked Buonanotte at half time with replacement Ethan Ampadu leading Leeds’ second half response.
Indeed at 21, Buonanotte does not need to be registered on the formal senior squad list within Premier League rules. At the same time, this is a player who has played three Champions League matches this season and was chased by Leeds last summer.
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He ultimately became United’s only January arrival after his Chelsea loan was cut short by Brighton & Hove Albion. He had only played 45 minutes of Premier League football, and perhaps it is becoming evident why.
Playing in the number 10 role, Buonanotte failed to complete a dribble, did not manage to get a shot off and was dispossessed twice against Championship - not Champions League - opposition in Sunday’s FA Cup tie.
Before making his first start, the youngster had played just 24 Leeds minutes across five Premier League games. While he barely had time to make an impact in five debut minutes against Everton, he was pretty abject against an admittedly romping Arsenal.
That slow start to life at United can be put down to his lack of consistent game time at Chelsea but his total omission from the squad that beat Nottingham Forest was both surprising and notable.
Leeds United's Facundo Buonanotte (front right) battles for the ball with Birmingham City's Tommy Doyle (left) and Jay Stansfield (rear right)
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Leeds United's Facundo Buonanotte (front right) battles for the ball with Birmingham City's Tommy Doyle (left) and Jay Stansfield (rear right)
Farke had taken flak from some supporter quarters when Buonanotte's omission was revealed ahead of kick-off, but the trip to Birmingham hints at why the playmaker, who was so sorely sought-after, was simply dropped for Forest.
"Of course, if you didn't play much in the last month, it's difficult to be at your very best physically,” said Farke shortly after Buonanotte’s arrival.
"It's also difficult in terms of confidence level and rhythm of the game to be at your very best. We'll give him a platform. But then it's up to him to go through the door. We just can bring him to the door, and then it's up to him."
With any arrival, Farke never guarantees game time or selection status. Those who sign must be prepared to fight for their place and then keep it. So it seems the next test for Buonanotte will be one of character.
Because the chances of starting another game have inevitably slimmed after Sunday’s showing. He can look at the less-favoured Joel Piroe and his absence from the starting XI at St Andrew’s as a reminder that Farke gives out no gimmes.
The manager added of Buonanotte on Sunday: "You have to fight in order to win your momentum and your rhythm back. I'm happy that he has already 45 minutes, but he knows that he's a bit away from his very best.
“He needs to work hard and in training, and when he gets a chance, he needs to use each every minute in order to improve and bring himself to the level where he can shine in such a game."
Farke said he had told those who had underwhelmed against Birmingham - with Buonanotte by no means the only one - to move on quickly, to put it out of mind. It’s not like they will be shunned out of the picture - Farke’s squad is too small for that.
In terms of his career, aged 21, the past month can be a learning curve for Buonanotte - he has bags of time on his side. And you don’t get capped by Argentina out of sheer luck.
There was a reason why Chelsea had wanted him, why fans of former loan club Leicester City admire him and why there was excitement around his Leeds arrival. He has shown his credentials in the past.
But now comes a hill he must climb, maybe for the first time in his senior career. Only by application in training and by taking his substitute chances can he rework his way into another start in the near future, barring a spate of injuries.
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It’s by no means game over - he’s only played 70 minutes across three appearances, and there’s still three months of the season to go. But at this level, it is about trust and Buonanotte must now work to shake the current sinking feeling around him right now.