Leeds United teen Wilfried Gnonto ‘life and soul’ of opening training session in Spain
Leeds United youngster Willy Gnonto was the “life and soul” of the Whites’ first training session as their midseason tour gets underway in Spain, according to the Daily Mail.
The youngster has made an impression for Italy on the international stage but has sadly had to watch the World Cup from afar after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the tournament in Qatar.
Gnonto has remained with the Yorkshire side during the international break and is currently enjoying his time in Spain with Jesse Marsch’s side.
“Having fun seems to be second nature for Gnonto, who was the life and soul during Leeds’ opening training session here on Tuesday morning,” write the Daily Mail (6 December).
“He only moved to Elland Road in September from FZ Zurich – where he had been for two years after leaving Inter Milan – and at the time Jesse Marsch said he was not ‘Premier League ready’. Yet he has proved his manager wrong by having an instant impact in the top flight.”
Big future
If Italy had featured in Qatar, Gnonto would’ve almost certainly been involved in the squad. It’s a shame for Leeds because playing in the World Cup would’ve been an invaluable experience for the 19-year-old attacker. Now, Marsch will be looking to unleash him onto the Premier League stage when their campaign restarts at the end of December.
The American will be looking to add some attacking depth to his squad, particularly in the striking department, however, it would be good to see the youngster begin to see more minutes. He has already shown he’s capable of a magical moment after his assist against Bournemouth, it’s now time for the Italian to make himself a mainstay in Marsch’s plans.
Italy should qualify for the European Championships in 2024, and they will fancy their chances of making it to the World Cup in 2026. If they do, there’s a strong chance Gnonto will be central to their attacking plans, which is an exciting prospect for Leeds United as well.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are now scouting an attacker at the World Cup and a January move appears to be on the cards for them.