Daniel Farke's Sunderland decisions suggest Leeds United may rue £23m transfer call | OneFootball

Leeds United turned down a £23m offer from Wilfried Gnonto last summer, with the winger now struggling for minutes under Daniel Farke.

Leeds United have comfortably scored more goals and created more big chances than any other side in the Championship, but they didn't have it all their own way against Sunderland on Monday night.

Regis Le Bris’ side had arrived at Elland Road with the hope of really shaking up the promotion race, and they looked set to do that after Wilson Isidor gave them a first-half lead.

The Black Cats were happy to concede possession, but despite dominating the ball, Leeds were lacking inspiration in the final third. The usually electric Dan James was running up dead ends, and Manor Solomon was effectively crowded out by the visitors.

Leeds United’s bench makes the difference against Sunderland

Yet, even in those circumstances, Leeds still found a way, and Daniel Farke deserves huge credit for the substitutions that changed the game in their favour.

Joe Rothwell brought composure and quality on the ball, and whilst Pascal Struijk was introduced to enable Ethan Ampadu to move into midfield, the Dutchman gave Leeds an additional set-piece threat.

Ultimately, that would make the difference. Two excellent deliveries from Rothwell, and two headers from Struijk, mean Leeds are now seven points clear of third-placed Burnley, and you get the feeling that if the Yorkshire outfit do go on to finish the job, they will reflect on this win as pivotal to their promotion.

Wilfried Gnonto remains an unused substitute as Leeds United beat Sunderland

Farke will have been delighted at how the subs changed the game, and it wasn’t just Rothwell and Struijk who made an impact.

Mateo Joseph and Largie Ramazani were also introduced, and they gave fresh energy and impetus to the team as they continued to try and batter down Sunderland’s resistance.

The fact Leeds can bring those four players from the bench highlights the ridiculous strength in depth at Elland Road - and they could also have brought on Wilfried Gnonto, yet it seems telling that Farke opted to leave the Italian international watching on from the sidelines.

The 21-year-old was a rare positive for Leeds as they were relegated from the Premier League a few years ago, and he impressed last season as well.

Now, though, Gnonto is not a regular in the starting XI, and Farke’s reluctance to use him when Leeds needed a goal was surprising.

As mentioned, Solomon and James were not getting much joy out of Trai Hume and Dennis Cirkin, but Farke persisted with the pair until the 78th minute, when Ramazani replaced the on-loan Spurs man.

Wilfried Gnonto needs to be playing regularly

Gnonto’s celebrations at the end prove he is a team player, and he will no doubt still make some contributions for Leeds over the next few months.

But, the former Zurich man is at a stage in his career where he needs to be playing week in, week out, and if Farke doesn’t trust him on the rare occasion that Leeds need a goal in the Championship, what will happen in the Premier League?

It’s natural to think promotion would bring attacking reinforcements, and keeping Solomon beyond his loan is sure to be a priority, so it’s hard to see how Gnonto will be the main man.

Of course, Leeds would love to keep him around as an option, and if Gnonto does find his best form, he has the talent to make his mark in the top-flight.

However, Gnonto isn’t your average 21-year-old. He has won 13 caps for Italy, and he was the subject of a £23m offer from Everton, so he will understandably expect a more prominent role, but it may not be possible.

With PSR becoming increasingly important in the modern game, a summer move may be best for all parties, although it seems unlikely that £23m offers will come for a player who is seemingly a fourth choice winger for a Championship side.