Former Arsenal forward and Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith has blasted Leeds United duo Wilfried Gnonto and Daniel James, describing the pair as not being Premier League quality. Smith says there’s every chance the wingers could leave Leeds this summer after not fitting into the new system employed by head coach Daniel Farke.
It’s been a tough season for Gnonto and James, who have each started just four games in the Premier League this campaign, with 12 games off the bench for Gnonto and just 10 for Wales international James, who has missed a chunk of the season through injury.Neither player is out of contract in the summer, unlike a number of their team-mates, with James only signing a new four-year deal last summer which takes him until the summer of 2029. Gnonto, who himself agreed a four-year deal, has until the summer of 2028, with neither player looking to depart.Still, that’s what Smith thinks could happen as they continue to be utilised as squad players by Farke.
“I don’t think they’re Premier League quality, could do well in the Championship, but have struggled. And I think also the wing-back system has maybe worked against them,” Smith told bestbettingsites.”So there hasn’t really been a spot for them. But when they have had a chance, they’ve underwhelmed, really. So it might be that they leave Elland Road in the summer.”
James impressed last week in the FA Cup win over Norwich and looked very sharp on the wing in a performance that suggested he has now got back up to full speed after time out injured.