Phil Hay has written in his latest Athletic piece that Leeds United star Willy Gnonto was constantly warming up, sitting down and then warming up again on the touchline on Tuesday night – until it was clear he would not be used.
Gnonto, 19, remained an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw against Leicester. That is despite Gracia having a chance to bring him on in the second half – with one more substitute window able to be used. Gracia decided to ignore it.
Three substitute windows are allowed and on came Crysencio Summerville in the first half, and Brenden Aaronson in the second. Leeds fans were screaming for Gracia to make a change, singing Gnonto’s song as he warmed up.
Indeed, Hay said Gnonto was constantly warming up on the side, sitting down, and then warming up again. But he stopped when it was clear to the Italy ace that Gracia was not going to be used in the final 20 minutes on Tuesday.
“Gnonto warmed up, sat down, warmed up, sat down; on and on until it became clear Gracia had no intention of changing his side in the final 20 minutes, a spell which was consumed by paralysis,” Hay wrote on The Athletic.
Hay: Leeds star Gnonto was constantly warming up and sitting down
Jermaine Beckford described Gracia’s decision to overlook Gnonto as “bizarre” and he simply “does not know” what the Spanish boss was thinking. He shared every other Leeds fan’s thoughts. It is utterly bewildering not to use him.
To remove him from the starting XI was bizarre enough – not starting since the 4-2 win over Wolves. But with Leeds in the game and in need of a winner, he ignored Gnonto. Patrick Bamford missed a golden chance at the end.
Of course, if Bamford rolls that in, than it is a different story and Leeds go on to win. But the frustration of the draw is being taken out on Gracia as he continues to overlook Gnonto. Bournemouth next – perhaps, Gnonto will play.
