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BT Sport pundit baffled by Manchester City interest in Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto
Manchester City being interested in Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto “doesn’t make sense” according to BT Sport pundit Steve McManaman.
The Italian international has been a revelation since moving to Elland Road in a £4m deal last summer from FC Zurich, and recent reports have suggested that England’s top clubs including Man City are interested in a deal with Leeds looking for at least £30m to let him leave.
However when speaking to Betfred (29 March), McManaman believes it would be a bad move for all parties because he’s not better than their current options and he needs game time to continue to improve.
“He is a very tricky winger but unless Manchester City get rid of a couple of wingers, then I don’t see why they’d go for him,” he said.
“In Gnonto’s case, why would he go there if he has competition from Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva?
“He would know that he’s not going to play every single game and his game time should be at the front of his mind if he’s receiving interest from a prospective buyer.
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“I’d be really surprised if this transfer was to happen this summer. You can’t play well for 11 or 12 games and then be suddenly linked with the best teams in the league. That doesn’t make sense at all.”
Quality is quality
McManaman’s point of view is valid and it definitely makes sense to question a move because of a handful of good games.
But nobody was doubting Wayne Rooney had the quality after a handful of games at Everton before Manchester United signed him, and it’s clear as day that Gnonto is good enough to go all the way to the top.
Nobody is saying that he is as good as Rooney, but the point is that his lack of experience and his age shouldn’t play a part in any decision.
With that said, obviously there isn’t a Leeds fan with working eyes who wants to see Gnonto any time soonand he will definitely get better playing at Elland Road than he would by going to City and sitting on the bench.
£30m should also not be anywhere near enough to get him out of the club considering he has a long-term contract and is clearly en route to being a top talent in the world at this rate.
In other Leeds news, the club could be set to suffer £10m annual losses amid new Premier League rules.
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