Leeds United transfer update: Phil Hay reacts to Willy Gnonto announcement ahead of Birmingham City clash
The players who got Leeds United relegated are not attempting to “redeem the failure” this summer, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist reacted on his personal Twitter account Friday night (11 August), moments after a statement from the club was released saying that Willy Gnonto would again be unavailable for the game against Birmingham City on Saturday, to suggest last year’s squad don’t want to deal with the consequences of last season.
The club’s statement communicated that the 19-year-old’s absence from the Carabao Cup game against Shrewsbury Town game on Wednesday came at his behest after he and his advisors were told he wouldn’t be sold this summer, and that with him now set to miss the Championship trip to St. Andrew’s for the same reason it had become a “disciplinary matter”.
Hay’s reaction was: “I get that players have careers and decisions to make etc (and I get that there were failures elsewhere in the club too) – but christ, the squad who got Leeds relegated aren’t exactly digging in to redeem the failure. Let’s not pretend otherwise”.
Sour end
For much of last season Gnonto represented one of the few bright spots in the middle of a season that had very little to cheer about.
There were fears that he might get picked off during the transfer window amid links to various clubs in England, Italy and Germany.
But he started the opening day draw with Cardiff City (6 August) as a makeshift striker with Daniel Farke contending with an injury crisis already.
But amid Everton leading the pursuit of the former FC Zurich player it appears the matter has rapidly deteriorated and already looks like it may be beyond salvage.
Unlike most of the first-team squad who underperformed last season Gnonto doesn’t have a relegation release clause so Leeds United can prevent him from leaving.
While none of those who quickly slipped out of the club on low-cost loans are especially popular among the club’s fanbase now, the current developments are now threatening to make him the poster boy for players failing upwards.
That may be harsh given he contributed a lot more in a positive sense than some who have already gone, but the club appear steadfast in not giving in here while the young attacker is now holding himself out of the squad.
In other Leeds United news, after yet more drama Friday on another possible exit an update has emerged on possible “bad blood” at the club around the player.