It was unthinkable that Leeds would be able to hold onto Wilfried Gnonto. He was refusing to play and trying to force through a transfer to a doomed (but Premier League) Everton. His stock was high, his contract was long and it critically lacked the kind of release clause many other wantaway players leveraged after our miserable relegation. Leeds weren’t obligated to sell and the player had no power beyond refusing to play. He had demonstrated himself to be an enormous talent, far outshining his meagre £5m cost and was someone Leeds clearly wished to hold onto. Along with Summerville, he could tear up the Championship, if he stayed.

The young lad eventually apologised for his actions and sought to make amends. Daniel Farke accepted his apology and allowed him to reintegrate into the team.

What no one expected was that he would then sit behind Dan James in the pecking order. Nor that he would be deservedly behind him. This isn’t a punishment nor penance for his prior indiscretions. Dan James has been performing like a man possessed so this £30m wonderkid has to be patient. The devilish question is — should Leeds consider capitalising on him now?

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