Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto might get chance to shine for Italy amid injury news
Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto has been named in the Italy squad for the ongoing international break and might now have the opportunity to get some minutes on the pitch amid a fresh injury update.
Most supporters dread the international break, as they are forced to sit through weekends without their beloved clubs and players in action, but they can at least hope to catch a glimpse of their favourite star away with their nation.
And for those Leeds United supporters who were hoping to see Gnonto in action for Italy, they might now get that chance.
According to Football Italia (8 September), both Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini have been officially withdrawn from the Italy squad after suffering injuries in training.
While Pellegrini’s injury setback is less relevant to the 19-year-old Leeds winger, the news that Chiesa, a fellow forward, has been sent back to Juventus perhaps offers Gnonto a route into the starting line-up. Chiesa was expected to feature in the UEFA 2024 European Championship qualifiers against North Macedonia and Ukraine, and will now need replacing.
After a summer of turbulence for Italy’s youngest-ever goal scorer, he will be keen to make an impression on the international stage once again.
With the European Championships coming up next summer, he will be desperate to get some minutes at the tournament and the increased possibility of being selected if he was playing in the Premier League would have likely been playing on his mind during his quest to leave Elland Road.
In the end, he couldn’t secure a move away, and he will now need to knuckle down and make an impression from the Championship. With Chiesa out, he might have a chance to do that immediately.
Should he be selected, he must grab the opportunity with both hands and leave Luciano Spalletti with an easy decision to make. Spalletti is set to take charge of his first two games as Italy head coach and Gnonto therefore has the opportunity to impress someone who will likely offer every player in the squad a fresh chance to shine under his leadership.
Over to you, Gnonto.
In other Leeds United news, another international star must avoid repeating the mistake he made while away with his country.