Daniel Farke stuns BBC pundit at Leeds United after Willy Gnonto news
Paul Robinson says it “speaks volumes” about Daniel Farke’s man-management at Leeds United that Willy Gnonto is set to agree a new contract.
Sky Sports Lyall Thomas reported on 22 January that the Whites were increasingly confident of securing a new deal for the Italian, with a further year and a significant improvement on his wages since said to be on the cards.
Gnonto’s match-winning performance against Bristol City on 2 February came in only his 10th state all season, with the 20-year-old having been left out of the squad by Farke and forced to train alone earlier this season when he tried to push through a move to Everton.
In that context former England and Elland Road goalkeeper Robinson is highly impressed by the way the young attacker’s situation has turned around and believes it is a ringing endorsement of the manager’s methods.
The BBC Sport pundit exclusively told MOT Leeds News: “I’ve always said, the strongest squad in the Championship is Leicester and Leeds aren’t far behind that. I genuinely believe that they’ve got one the strongest squads and to keep that bunch of players together is key.”
“It says a lot about Farke’s man-management style from where Willy Gnonto was in the summer, making all the noises about wanting to leave the club.
“He was an integral part of last season. I know they got relegated, but he really burst onto the scene and made a name for himself.
“With all the big move links he had in the summer, to then turn round and say he wants to leave, now five-six months later to not be a regular starter but willing to sign a new contract, speaks volumes for the manager, the squad and the style of football that he’s playing.”
Gnonto all the way back from the brink at Leeds United
Once Gnonto was refused his move away from the club in the summer it looked like it would only be a matter of time before he got it unless he re-established himself as a star in this Whites side.
That Crysencio Summerville and Dan James stole a march on him to do that for themselves, leaving their teammate to watch from the bench for the most part, seemingly made it all the more likely that an exit would be on the cards in January, or the end of the season.
But the contract breakthrough came as a surprise and must mean he is happy with his situation under Farke despite factors which might have seen other players lose interest.
Success on the pitch certainly helps but it looks like a big mark in Farke’s favour that a new deal is even possible in the circumstances.
In other Leeds United news, a permanent transfer exit worth big money is set to be accepted by the Whites imminently.
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