‘Phenomenal’ Leeds star is most-fouled player in the Championship with teams targeting him

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Burnley star Zian Flemming’s comments after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leeds United prove that when teams come to Elland Road, it is their Cup final and they up their game.

The new Burnley star made his debut against Leeds on Saturday after his move from Millwall for £7m. Flemming said that Leeds away is the toughest game of the Championship, following the win over Leeds.

Indeed, Martin Keown made the point that teams see Leeds at Elland Road as a cup final. Often televised, Keown said that if Leeds are to get promoted they must learn to become incredible away from home.

Certainly, Wilfried Gnonto will know more than most that teams are at their most aggressive when they come to Elland Road. The stats are already showing that Gnonto is being targeted by other clubs.

• READ MORE: Ethan Ampadu has Leeds’ most tackles, but Luke Ayling is above him

Wilfried Gnonto is the Championship’s most-fouled player

The “phenomenal” star has taken on the main-man aura since Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter left the club for the Premier League. Instead, Gnonto has put pen to paper on a new contract.

But other clubs are aware of that and are trying to stop Gnonto. At least, that is according to the stats. WhoScored’s stats say Gnonto has been fouled 15 times so far, more than any Championship player.

Gnonto is obviously clever enough to win free-kicks but there is no doubt that clubs are targeting him and identifying him as a threat, with some sides resorting to stopping him by taking the Italian down.

Burnley took care of Gnonto by fouling him on Saturday

Burnley were particularly physical with Leeds, more so than any other team so far. Scott Parker’s side made 12 fouls, picking up six yellows, two of which went to Bashir Humphreys who was sent off.

Four of those fouls were against Gnonto. Clearly, Parker – who came close to taking the Leeds job but was pipped to the Elland Road post by Farke – wanted his defenders to nullify Gnonto by bringing him down.

It is something Gnonto is going to have to understand and learn to adapt to, if he is going to show his best form. Something which so far, the former Zurich and Inter Milan star has struggled to do.