Forget Bamford: Marsch must now unleash teen Leeds “diamond”, he can “surprise” Palace – opinion
Bamford #Bamford
Leeds United are back in Premier League action this afternoon as they head to the capital to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Whites boss Jesse Marsch will be looking to end a run of four games without a victory and last time out, they snagged a point from the jaws of defeat against Aston Villa after Luis Sinisterra was sent off just three minutes into the second half.
But over their run, the Yorkshire outfit have struggled in the final third, registering only three goals across those four outings. Last weekend, the American head coach opted for Rodrigo over Patrick Bamford, whilst the Colombian winger will need to be replaced this time around.
Perhaps he could now turn to Wilfried Gnonto, the 18-year-old forward who only joined the club during the summer. Marsch has often played down his chances of breaking into the starting XI but when you’re featuring for the Italian national team, you really ought to be given a chance domestically.
Italy’s youngest-ever goalscorer is certainly a promising talent, having been lauded as a “real diamond” by scout Jacek Kulig, as well as being “unpredictable” and a “joy” to watch by Zurich sporting director Marinko Jurendic (via the Daily Mail).
The £3.8m gem has racked up six caps for Roberto Mancini’s side but he’s yet to make his senior bow for the west Yorkshiremen. Meanwhile, last season for the Swiss champions, Gnonto registered 15 goal contributions from 36 appearances and did so by playing in six different roles.
He was primarily deployed as a second striker but he can also play up front and out wide, which means he’s capable of filling the void left behind by Sinisterra this afternoon, or he’s an alternative to injury-prone Bamford and Rodrigo.
Given his lack of involvement thus far, he could spring a “surprise” – as director of football Victor Orta described the teenager to The Telegraph – on Patrick Vieira and Palace if Marsch chooses to unleash him down in south-east London today.
Among the nominees for the 2022 Golden Boy award, where names like Jude Bellingham, Gavi and Eduardo Camavinga feature, it’s very clear that Leeds have got their hands on a true prospect but it’s time he was trusted to show the world what he can do in the Premier League.
So forget Bamford or Sinisterra, it’s time for Marsch to unleash the 18-year-old prodigy against Palace this afternoon.
AND in other news, Marsch could find Leeds’ Phillips 2.0 in 19 y/o who “can thread it through the needle”…
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