Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Fri 3 April 2026 13:10, UK

Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto admitted he was out of line with how he tried to leave the club, but Enzo Fernandez may not have the same realisation at Chelsea.

On Friday, Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior revealed that Fernandez would be dropped for their next two games after the Argentine’s repeated comments casting doubt on his future at the club.

The midfielder also went on to question Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Rosenior’s predecessor Enzo Maresca earlier this year. That, according, to the Blues boss was a step too far.

He told reporters on Friday: “It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I have got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.”

With Fernandez set to miss Chelsea’s next two games against Port Vale and Manchester City as punishment, this harkens back to when Daniel Farke dropped Gnonto after he submitted a transfer request to leave a Championship Leeds team in 2023.

Enzo Fernandez unlikely to heed Wilfried Gnonto’s advice

Ahead of Leeds’ trip to Birmingham City in early August 2023, Gnonto handed in a transfer request amid interest from Premier League side Everton.

The Italy international was then dropped for that match and the West Brom game before making a goalscoring return in a win over Ipswich Town.

Gnonto was 20 at the time but later admitted he let himself down.

“This was the first time in my career where I found myself in this type of situation. There have been many mistakes in this period. I’m not only speaking for myself, but different people were involved. Looking back now, it was a moment when I had the chance to grow up as a player and as a man,” he said.

Fernandez is a World Cup winner and Chelsea’s vice captain. But the 25-year-old has angered Chelsea fans with his remarks, in addition to saying the Spanish capital would be his ideal place to live amid links with Real Madrid.

Chelsea will not want to lose one of their best players but the way things are going at Stamford Bridge, it is understandable that some individuals want out.

They appear to have stagnated in recent months, in addition to falling out of the Carabao Cup and Champions League. Fernandez will be coveted the world over, whereas Gnonto wasn’t in that same boat.

But Fernandez should still act in a responsible and professional manner. If he throws his toys out the pram, that may facilitate a move out of Chelsea. But if he knuckles down and does his utmost on the pitch, that would be a good way of winning back the fans’ trust.

The Gnonto situation ended amicably but the Fernandez one has the hallmarks of one that could go the other way.

Will Gnonto get his FA Cup chance?

Fast forward to the present and Gnonto may be nearing a Leeds exit this summer due to a lack of game time.

In 2023, he was one of their best players. Now, he can barely get a look-in for the Premier League outfit.

As the graphic below shows, MOT Leeds News is predicting Farke will stick with three at the back and two wing-backs, leaving no room for a winger such as Gnonto.

But Gnonto has impressed in the FA Cup this season and may yet get a rare start in Leeds’ quarter-final tie away to West Ham on Sunday.

The 22-year-old has been a bit-part player this season, but if he does get a chance to shine, he has to grasp it with both hands.