“He’s quality, he fights for the badge, Elland Road would have erupted and we missed a trick not bringing him on” – Former Leeds defender Ben Parker hits out at Javi Gracia for Willy Gnonto treatment after latest Leicester snub
Former Leeds United defender Ben Parker has told Whites manager Javi Gracia that he ‘missed a trick’ by leaving fan-favourite Wilfried Gnonto on the bench for the entire game against Leicester earlier this week.
The 19-year-old is seen as one of the club’s brightest young talents in years by supporters who were calling for him to be subbed on in the 1-1 draw against the Foxes, but Gracia decided instead to replace Luis Sinisterra with Crysencio Summerville.
In what has been a tough season for the Whites, Gnonto has often been a bright star but hasn’t been given the chance to shine under the Spaniard in recent matches – something Parker believes must change to avoid relegation.
“If we brought Gnonto on – yeah he’s quality, dribbling is great – but what it would have done to Elland Road, the place would have erupted,” Parker told LS11 after the match on Tuesday night.
“A big atmosphere with 20 minutes to go. We needed something like that. We missed a trick, there. Gnonto is a nasty git, he gets around people, he fights for the badge and we missed a trick not bringing him on.”
Gnonto has now played just 53 minutes of Leeds’ last five Premier League matches under Javi Gracia despite being one of the club’s best players this season.
