Jamie Shackleton faces up to double Leeds United disappointment despite form of rival
Daniel Farke’s Whites were looking to finally record their first win of the new Championship season at the third time of asking in Friday night’s hosting of West Brom but the contest ended in a 1-1 draw despite Leeds having 16 attempts on goal compared to just four from the Baggies……….
Former Leeds United coach Karl Robinson says Willy Gnonto ‘has to play’ for the club following the dispute over his future, but insists the situation does not mean he is a ‘bad person’.
Italian forward Gnonto has been unavailable for the last three games following Leeds’ decision not to sell him this summer. Everton have been keen to bring him to Goodison Park and could yet return with a reported £25m bid, but as yet the Whites have stayed firm on their intentions.
“None of us know to what extent or what conversations have gone on,” Robinson told the No Tippy Tappy Footbal podcast. “Here is a kid who is 19 years of age, he is a full Italian international, he has to play first and foremost.
“You are contracted to Leeds United. You signed that contract, when you sat down with your agent.
“If he doesn’t play, and they fold, and he goes – what precedent does that set for the rest of the players, for the rest of this transfer window? The manager has to make a very bold decision and sometimes that has to be public. You can’t have that lingering over a team.
“This needs to be sorted sooner rather than later and it might have to sorted aggressively. It is hard for players, when they see one of their friends leaving as that can be a little bit of a dent in your confidence.
“Footballers don’t have that long in their careers, they have got to make decisions to support their own careers. But you are signed to play for Leeds United and you have to play. Knowing Willy in the short time, he is not a bad person. He never came across as a bad person.”
Leeds fans have certainly made their feelings clear, with several banners and chants directed at Gnonto at Elland Road on Friday night. Whether Everton’s offer becomes too big to turn down remains to be seen, but the situation is far from over.
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