What matters to Gus though, is which of the two are worth more to HIM, between now and May. Nothing else. If Leo's a spent force in two years' time and Wickham is worth £10m, Gus would (rightly?) not care, so long as Sunderland stay up this season, and he keeps that blemish off his CV.
It...
I've seen plenty enough of Wickham over the last couple of years to know he's a good striker, with the potential to get a lot better.
Is Leo going to get better at his age? Probably not.
I reckon they are very much comparable right now, and likely to move in opposite directions moving forward...
I would HAPPILY consider swapping Leo for Connor Wickham.
There, I've said it.
Wickham is much younger, quicker, and more clinical.
If there was a modest cash adjustment, in our favour, to cover Wickham's higher wages, I'm IN.