Sam Allardyce shares revelation about Willy Gnonto agent amid Leeds United transfer drama
Sam Allardyce has suggested that Willy Gnonto’s refusal to play for Leeds United could be “guided” by the 19-year-old’s agent.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast (17 August) the recent Leeds manager proposed that Gnonto’s agent, Claudio Vigorelli, could have sanctioned the youngster’s actions in a bid to force a move as quickly as possible.
Allardyce also noted that in the brief time he coached Gnonto, he does not believe it is in his character to refuse to play.
As stated on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce said: “I think that’s guided by his agent. I think his agent has told him to do that. I can’t see it within him, in the short period I was at Leeds, that he would say ‘Right, I’m not going to play’.
“I think his agent said the best way you’re going to get away is just say that you’re not going to turn up.”
Behind the curtain
No one truly knows what happens behind the scenes of football transfers except the people in the room.
Everton look the most likely to get the forward, but Corriere dello Sport claimed (17 August, pg 19) that the Toffees will have to improve their rejected £25million offer.
While many have been quick to criticise Gnonto’s role in this whole debacle, Allardyce suggests perhaps agents are at work again. According to GIVEMESPORT (17 August), the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Raheem Sterling and Cristiano Ronaldo are all recent cases of Premier League players refusing to play in a bid to switch clubs.
So the tactic is not uncommon, but regular fans are not privy to the behind-the-scenes details and conversations that go on during high-pressure transfers.
Vigoelli may well be influencing Gnonto’s behaviour to make a move, but the teenager himself will likely desire to move to a top league. If Gnonto was happy at Leeds, he would not be refusing to play.
How much of an influence his agent has had in his behaviour is unknown, but Allardyce suggests Gnonto is not acting alone.
This may ease some Leeds fans’ minds as the politics of football can often get dirty and heartless. Allardyce himself insists that Gnonto isn’t the type to act this way.
The truth may come out one day, but for now the saga ticks on.
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has slammed Willy Gnonto’s efforts to leave Elland Road claiming he must show “some decency”.