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Why Manor Solomon has nailed down the left-wing spot – stats

When Leeds United signed Manor Solomon on loan from Tottenham last summer it was seen as a major coup. Injuries limited him at the Premier League but the Israel winger’s quality has never been under doubt. He missed a part of the season due to injuries and on his return to action, he was not getting into the starting eleven. However, Wilfried Gnonto’s poor form meant Solomon got into the team in December and has never looked back since then. He has been a major threat in every game and is now part of the first-choice forward line at Elland Road. A closer look at the underlying metrics, it is clear to see why the winger has nailed down the spot on the left flank of the Leeds team over the last few weeks.

Solomon has been in the middle of Leeds’ form over the last month and played a big role in ensuring that the Whites remain at the top of the Championship table.

The winger has had four goal contributions in the last four games Leeds United have played and it is no surprise that he is now one of the first names on the team sheet at Elland Road.

However, he struggled with injuries earlier in the season and for a while it didn’t seem that the winger would be able to displace Gnonto in the starting eleven a few months back.

But the Italian struggled to score or create consistently for Leeds and once Solomon got his opportunity, he grabbed it with both hands and has been more or less first-choice since then.

The underlying metrics of his performances show why Daniel Farke has decided to place his faith in Solomon after losing his patience with Gnonto.

Scores with both feet and a better finisher: How Manor Solomon displaced Gnonto in the team

Solomon has made a real impact on the team with his goals and assists since breaking into the starting eleven and is now more or less the first-choice on the left flank.

Wilfried Gnonto started the season as the starting left-winger for Leeds and he was expected to stand out following the departures of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.

However, the Italian struggled to score or create for weeks and eventually, Farke decided to bring in the chance to replace him with Solomon.

The Israeli’s performances have been markedly better than what Gnonto produced in the first few months of the season and he is now struggling to get into the team.

Solomon’s underlying numbers show why he has been more effective on the left flank and has added teeth to the Leeds attack since getting into the starting eleven.

Solomon has scored just one more goal than Gnonto’s four but averages a goal every 245 minutes while that number jumps to 422 minutes for the Italian winger.

The Israeli’s two-footedness has also made a major difference compared to Gnonto who is dependent on his right foot to score the goals.

The Spurs loanee has a 19 percent conversion rate when it comes to chances but that number drastically drops to just seven for Gnonto this season.

He has made a major impact on the left-hand side but his discipline marks him out

Solomon’s introduction to the Leeds starting eleven has made them a more potent attack. Daniel James’ consistency on the right has been a major feature of the season but the Whites were struggling to be a threat on the left.

Gnonto’s form sometimes bogged down the team but since Solomon’s introduction, the threat from both flanks has only created more problems for opposition defences.

The Israeli’s discipline on the left is also something that endears him to Farke and he is also willing to work hard to help out the defence when needed.

A look at Solomon’s performance in the 2-0 win over Norwich earlier this month showed how Solomon diligently remains on the left-hand side of the pitch to provide width to the team.

He scored and assisted in the win for Norwich and showed both the discipline and the attacking threat he adds to the team with his presence.

Question marks remain over his fitness but Farke hopes that he remains healthy and ready to make an impact to take Leeds back to the Premier League this season.

Leeds also know that any chance of holding on to Solomon beyond the end of his loan stint would depend on the Whites being in the top flight next season.

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