The 49ers have a strong track record for Leeds United’s transfers, but there’s one this season that looks a real misstep, and it’s not really the recruitment team’s fault.
United’s chances of staying in the league hinged on how well the club took to recruitment after promotion. And, it’s fair to say the 49ers have given Daniel Farke more than a fighting chance.
We’re only three clear of the drop, but with nine games to go, it’s fair to say the vast majority of signings have been definite positives.
Facundo Buonanotte left unused as Leeds United cruise through FA Cup tie vs Norwich City
Most of Leeds’ attacking and defensive brilliance against Norwich City, producing this gulf in class to Championship opposition, came thanks to those signed after we escaped that wretched league in May.
Summer signings Gabriel Gudmundsson and Sean Longstaff combined for the opener. Then, the Swedish left-back scored Leeds’ second and his first of the campaign.
After half-time, the tie was put beyond any doubt as substitute Anton Stach broke and fed Lukas Nmecha. The German duo combined to tee up a brilliantly finished goal for Joel Piroe.
Watching on from the bench was Facundo Buonanotte.
The Argentine was back in the squad after some brutally honest words during Farke’s pre-match press conference. However, Eddie Riemer deemed it unnecessary for the Brighton loanee to be introduced off the bench. Instead, Sam Byram made a brief cameo.
It means that Buonanotte has not played a single minute for Leeds since the fourth round against Birmingham City. I think we’re all in agreement that his performance that day wasn’t up to scratch. But, it’s also worrying that what I predicted is coming to pass: he’s virtually done at Elland Road before he’s even had a real crack at it on loan.
Will Facundo Buonanotte go down as 49ers’ worst Leeds United signing?
When we looked set to sign him back in August from Brighton, I was seriously excited. I thought what he could offer to our side as a right-sided attacking midfielder would be a difference-maker.
He’s in the same archetype as Emi Buendia, a player Farke has justified infatuation for after his success at Carrow Road.
However, the 21-year-old thought sitting on Chelsea’s bench was a better use of his talents initially. He promptly took the decision to cut his Stamford Bridge loan short to move up to Leeds. But by that time, his development had hit a standstill after a decent stint with relegated Leicester City.
Now, Leeds are stuck with a loan signing that looks unlikely to have anything to offer in our bid to stay up.
At this point, Farke and his coaching staff don’t think Buonanotte is worthy of an appearance against a pretty poor Championship side at home. Consequently, they’re not going to throw him into our relegation scrap expecting a drastic uptick in performances.
The 49ers haven’t had too many ‘misses’ in the transfer market since taking over post-relegation. Buonanotte probably ranks very highly in the list of flops.
I’m sure everyone will agree that I hope Buonanotte proves this statement wrong. He’s the attacking profile this squad is currently missing and him hitting form would be huge. Can anyone actually see that happening now?
We’ve got nine league games left and he’s nowhere to be seen in our easiest remaining fixture where other fringe players got priceless minutes in their legs.
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