Leeds United

2 Leeds United players that Jesse Marsch simply has to start v Wolves in the EFL Cup

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Leeds United head into Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers off the back of two wins in the league in consecutive games.

Leeds have a new star in Crysencio Summerville. The 21-year-old Dutchman has scored in three games in a row, including two late winners against Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth.

The Whites face Wolves at Molineux next, with both sides looking to book their place in the fourth round.

Who are the players pushing to start? We take a look at TWO here which Jesse Marsch simply has to include…

Wilfried Gnonto

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Crysencio Summerville of Leeds United celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Anfield on October 29, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Gnonto, 19, is a full Italian international, but he remains somewhat in limbo at Leeds United.

He came on and impressed against Liverpool in the 2-1 win at Anfield, yet, despite that, found himself back amongst Leeds’ Under-21 side for the EFL Trophy tie against Crewe. He also didn’t complete the full 90, and was substituted on 62 minutes.

However, against Bournemouth he again was brought on from the bench and notched the assist for Summerville’s winner. Gnonto showed composure and maturity beyond his years to lay the ball on a plate for the Dutchman. 

His potential and ceiling as a player is so high with his ability to carry the ball, keep it close to his body at speed, and weight the pass perfectly with his weaker foot into his teammates’ path; it is clear in moments like that why he is so highly thought of for his national team, too. 

He is a player well beyond youth team level, and needs a platform to prove that, which this fixture could provide. He should start and make his full debut in a white shirt.

Quiz: 15 questions all about Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto – Can you score 100%?

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Who did Leeds sign Gnonto from?

Joe Gelhardt

Gelhardt’s season has already been marred by injury.

The young forward has shown enough in a Leeds shirt already to be involved in some capacity in a game which will have little significance on Leeds’ season as a whole.

It should be the sort of fixture which can be significant for some individual players, though, and Gelhardt fits into that bracket.

He needs a start for the Whites, and a chance to build some confidence and momentum. Given his stop-start beginning to this season, it would do him the world of good to showcase his talents in a less pressured environment.

Another elite young player, he should be given a start by Marsch here and not another 10-15 minute cameo, which is all he has been provided of late from the bench. 

The EFL Cup is somewhat of a free-hit and time to experiment, it is time to unleash the youngsters on Wolves on Wednesday night.

Wolves v Leeds predictions?

Leeds go through

Leeds go through

Wolves go through

Wolves go through

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