Leeds United are on the brink of signing Harry Wilson as a free agent.
David Ornstein recently confirmed that United have reached an agreement to sign Wilson. The winger is expected to complete his medical in due course before signing.
Securing a Premier League-quality right-winger was arguably the biggest priority for the Whites this summer. Daniel Farke is noticeably light on quality options in that position, but that no longer appears to be the case.
However, whilst Wilson will undoubtedly improve Leeds, three players are sure to suffer as a result of his arrival.
Brenden Aaronson to lose his regular starting position
With Farke opting against playing a number ten in the Premier League, it seemed as though Brenden Aaronson would find gametime hard to come by.
But ever since Farke’s switch to a three at the back, he has found a place for Aaronson.
The American has either played off Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top or as a makeshift right-winger who often tucked into midfield.
Naturally, with Wilson arriving, you would imagine the spot on that right flank would be his.
The Welshman possess a lot more quality in the final third than Aaronson, and now we have a natural right winger, there’s no need to keep shoehorning in the team Aaronson out wide.
Where Farke chooses to play Aaronson next season remains to be seen. But the American could play substantially fewer than the 2473 Premier League minutes he managed last season.
Dan James to remain a rotation option
After arguably being our best player and firing us to promotion, the new and improved Dan James looked ready to make the jump up to the Premier League, fresh off the back of scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 36 Championship appearances.
However, injuries meant the 28-year-old missed large portions of the season. James only managed to play a total of 566 Premier League minutes last season.
But when James did play, he was extremely disappointing, and now he looks set to be Wilson and Noah Okafor’s backup next season.
Last season was meant to be the one where James fully established himself as a Premier League starter. However, it was the opposite, and now it looks unlikely that he will ever be one of the first names on the teamsheet under Farke ever again.
Final nail in the coffin for Willy Gnonto
I think we all expect Willy Gnonto to leave this summer, but Wilson’s arrival effectively is the final nail in the coffin for Gnonto’s chances of getting regular gametime at Leeds in the top-flight.
The Italian started just four league games last season, and with the competition for places out wide heating up even further, it is clear that Gnonto will need to move elsewhere if he wants to play regularly.
We should use the money we receive from the 22-year-old to reinvest in another winger. Behind Wilson and Okafor, we still lack quality depth out wide.
Whilst it would be a shame to see a player of Gnonto’s talents leave, we need wingers who Farke trusts with and without the ball, and it is clear as day that Farke does not trust Gnonto.
I’d be happy going into next season with Wilson, Okafor and one more quality winger. Leaving Aaronson and James as backup options.
Both James and Aaronson should be used as impact substitutes. As harsh as it may seem, neither man has the quality to be able to be relied upon regularly.
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