Leeds United: Daniel Farke urged to make "obvious" decision involving Wilfried Gnonto & Brenden Aaronson | OneFootball

FLW's Leeds United pundit has urged Daniel Farke to replace Brenden Aaronson with Wilfried Gnonto.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It won't come as a shock to Leeds United supporters that their slump in form has coincided with a time when the output of their attackers has dwindled.

In 2025, Daniel Farke put his faith in a front four made up of Joel Piroe, Manor Solomon, Daniel James, and Brenden Aaronson, hoping their combined talents would be enough to propel the Whites to promotion.

While Piroe, Solomon, and James have delivered in various moments, it’s been Aaronson whose form has raised the most concern. The American has only delivered one goal contribution this calendar year and his form at the beginning of the campaign appears to be a distant memory.

Many of the Elland Road faithful have urged the German head coach to turn to his other attacking options, with Wilfried Gnonto pinpointed as an ideal replacement for Aaronson after his cameo against Queens Park Rangers. The Italian attacker may not have always been to Farke's taste, but it is fair to say that he has an ability that very few possess in the Leeds squad.

With Sheffield United and Burnley closing in on Leeds at the top of the table, Farke can ill-afford to get his team selection wrong and must now give Gnonto the chance he warrants.

Daniel Farke urged to make Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson switch following international break

To get an Elland Road point of view on what Farke should do, Football League World spoke to their resident Leeds pundit, Kris Smith, who urged the head coach to give Gnonto a chance before it is too late.

"I don't think it is harsh to suggest that Wilfried Gnonto's 45 minutes off the bench against QPR were better than anything Brenden Aaronson has produced in 2025, despite being an undisputed starter during that time," Kris told FLW.

"Farke justifies Aaronson's starting role with his ability to press. If your number 10, in what is supposedly the best team in the league, can only offer energy and pressing off the ball - without any creativity or ball retention - then we are going seriously wrong.

"Gnonto instantly came on against QPR and showed his technically secure side by winning Leeds a foul with his first touch, getting us up the pitch when we were under pressure at the start of the half.

"Just after that, he picked up the ball in a pocket of space, turned, and picked out Dan James, who set up the equaliser. That was immediately two aspects of his game that Aaronson hadn't shown for months. The gulf in creative ability between the two is so obvious.

"That pass isn't something I recall seeing at all from Aaronson in a Leeds shirt - on the turn and through a tight space. After that, Gnonto was constantly showing for the ball, keeping Leeds ticking, and we were unlucky not to get a winner in that game after he changed it for us.

"It is obvious that he needs to be starting. I can't believe it has taken this long for it to become a common discussion.

"In the run-in, where games are so tough, Leeds need players who can grab the game by the scruff of the neck and show guts on their own. Gnonto is one of those players."

Wilfried Gnonto's time to shine for Leeds United may have finally arrived

With eight fixtures remaining, there is still time for Gnonto to make the impact Leeds desperately need.

Although attacking midfield isn't his natural position, he will simply be glad to get on the pitch and will know that strong performances could cement his place at the club ahead of next season.

Gnonto's minutes-per-goal contribution record in the Championship currently stands at one every 173 minutes. While he will aim to improve on this, it remains a respectable rate to take into the crucial final fixtures.