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One stat which proves Harry Wilson simply has to start for Leeds United vs Sunderland
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- One stat which proves Harry Wilson simply has to start for Leeds United vs Sunderland
Harry Wilson must be desperate for another chance at Leeds United.
It hasn't been the start that the Wales international would have hoped for at Elland Road.
Wilson finally signed for Leeds at the second attempt, as a marquee free transfer with other Premier League interest snubbed.
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But, Daniel Farke has failed to unlock him so far.
His only Premier League start came in the opening day 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, but he's yet to get that chance again.
And after a couple of struggling weeks, could Sunday see him return against Sunderland?
Why has Harry Wilson struggled?
Much more was expected from the winger when first arriving.
After his career-best season at Fulham last time out, with 10 goals and seven assists, it was always hard to replicate that.
It didn't help that Wilson picked up a small injury issue before the international break, ending any small momentum at Thorp Arch.
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He also had a goal disallowed at Forest, and if that had counted, things would be looking much different.
Instead, Brenden Aaronson came in for a couple of games, and then Noah Okafor, with Anton Stach also playing further forward.
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Farke has been very consistent in his selections in recent weeks, but there has to be some room for change.
Playing Stach further forward is all well and good when needing that physical presence with more defending expected.
Sunderland are currently bottom of the Premier League, and play in the Europa League in midweek before this.
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The way Leeds are playing, Wilson suits that perfectly.
Jayden Bogle and James Justin attempted 13 crosses against Man United on Sunday, yet only one was accurate.
If you're attempting that many crosses from just two players in one game, maybe you need a specialist like Wilson, too.
In games this season, no attacker has averaged more than Wilson's 0.8 key passes per game so far, via WhoScored .
For comparison, Noah Okafor is sitting at 0.3.
If Farke is looking to exploit them wide areas again at the Stadium of Light, then Wilson simply has to start.
He needs a shining moment to really kickstart his Leeds career, this could just be that.
If there's another player who'd certainly appreciate that, it's Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
