MY ACCOUNT
Wilfried Gnonto is already an established Italian international and drawing interest from several clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 19-year-old has been an exciting prospect for Leeds this season but reduced time on the pitch has left the forward visibly frustrated.
Ahead of the Whites’ crucial clash with Nottingham Forest tonight, we turn the spotlight on the 11-cap star and his future.
Hot property
Gnonto joined Leeds from FC Zurich last summer and has appeared 16 times in the Premier League this season.
His return of two goals and three assists is promising for someone in his maiden season in Europe’s top five leagues, especially as several of his outings have come from the bench.
The Italian prospect recorded assists in consecutive matches for the Yorkshire club before the international break but did not feature in the loss to Arsenal after picking up an ankle injury while away.
Home on the horizon
Several Serie A clubs are said to be monitoring Gnonto’s progress in the Premier League and the speedster could be available at a cut price if Leeds are relegated.
Juventus and Napoli are two sides who may tempt the former Inter Milan academy product back to his homeland despite his contract running until 2027.
Gnonto’s team-mate Crysencio Summerville believes that his attacking partner has the ability to become one of the best in the business.
He said: “He’s a young player, you can see he’s full of talent. [It’s quite impressive at] a very young age he does what he does.
“I think that he’s a very good asset for the team, and I think that he’s even still young enough that he can be a Ballon d’Or winner.”
A top talent
Gnonto’s contributions in England have highlighted his skills as a creator and finisher but there is still work to be done for him to reach the levels of the very best.
The 5ft 5in maestro has averaged 1.52 chances created and 1.44 shots per 90 for his club, demonstrating a blend of playmaking and goalscoring instincts.
Much of his work is done in the final third and he ranks 21st in the league for possessions won in the attacking third, averaging 1.02 per 90.
One area that the winger will need to work on if he is to move to a top team is his ability to beat defenders — Gnonto has only completed 16 of his 53 attempted take-ons in 2022-23.
Take the plunge
Ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes that a return to Italy would make sense for Gnonto in the summer, despite his impressive form in the Premier League.
The former stopper believes a move would help him develop ahead of Euro 2024 with Italy currently undergoing a rebuild.
He said: “For him to play in his home country, I can see why he’d want to do that, especially with them trying to defend the Euros.
“If the top teams in the world are looking at him and Roberto Mancini deems him fit to play in the national team it highlights even more that he’s not playing at Leeds.”
Gnonto has 10 more games to prove his worth with Leeds and then decide his future in what could be a crucial summer for both him and the club.
