Italian media react to ‘committed’ Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto in 3-2 win v Switzerland
Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto impressed Italian media following his star performance for Italy Under-21s against Switzerland Under-21s on Sunday (25 June).
The Whites attacker scored in the 11th minute of the European Under-21 Championship group clash in Romania. Italy won the match 3-2, with Leeds forward Gnonto scoring his nation’s second goal of the match.
And the youngster impressed Italian media with his display, with Calciomercato handing the 19-year-old a match-high rating of 7/10.
Level with midfielder Sandro Tonali, Calciomercato noted that Gnonto “scores a striker goal, and it’s the simplest thing in his game.
“He is committed, he chases, he helps the team. Loaded by the net, the first for the Under-21s.” Calciomercato added that Gnonto’s “great performance” overshadowed that of his fellow forward Pietro Pellegri.
Corriere dello Sport meanwhile also handed the Leeds ace a joint-high rating of 7/10, alongside wide player Raoul Bellanova.
Analysing the winger’s display, Corriere dello Sport wrote: “He puts his leg, ideas and a lot of sacrifice into the first match of the Under-21 European Championship from the first minute.
“He runs for the team, goes up to cover. Bravo Willy, first goal in Under-21 for him too.”
Superstar
He may not have shown it enough times at Leeds this season, but Gnonto is a superstar in the making.
Perhaps he just wasn’t handed enough minutes by the various managers at Elland Road over the last few months, but that wasn’t the case for his nation as he started and ran the show against Switzerland.
His first goal for Italy Under-21s should give him plenty of confidence for the matches to come in the tournament, with the country definitely in with a chance of going all the way to the final thanks to their talented team.
Gnonto should, however, already be full of confidence thanks to his 10 appearances for the senior Italy team, where he also has one goal to his name.
The winger’s international future is, therefore, secure, but the same cannot be said for his club career, with many Leeds fans unsure where their beloved attacker will be playing next season.
In other Leeds United news, one exit-linked Whites ace has shared what he’s told his agent to do amid speculation concerning his Elland Road future.