talkSPORT host blasts Wilfried Gnonto for ‘bad example’ amid Leeds United transfer request reports
Wantaway Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto has set a “bad example” by refusing to play, according to Tony Cascarino.
The 19-year-old Italy international has refused to play on multiple occasions for the Elland Road club and handed in a written transfer request on Friday 18 August, as per David Ornstein via Twitter (18 August).
And Cascarino is not happy with how the winger has handled the situation, he revealed while speaking on talkSPORT on Saturday afternoon (20 August).
“I don’t like it, you’ve signed a contract, you honour that contract,” the pundit said while live on air.
“Refusing to play, absolutely no. A 19-year-old refusing to play, now that is way different. Whether he has been badly advised, which I am probably sure he has – I just think that is really bad advice.
“I just think it is a bad example.”
Spot on
Cascarino is absolutely right in what he is saying. Under no circumstance should a player ever refuse to pull on the shirt for a club that he is contracted to, especially not when they were part of the reason that club is in the situation they are in.
Gnonto was one of the bright sparks during the Whites’ relegation from the Premier League campaign, although that does not make him automatically blameless in this situation. If he had any real character, he would honour his contract, stay and help fight to bring the club back to where it belongs.
As well as this, it does not reflect well on his character and might harm his chances of getting a big move later down the line. While Everton might be willing to overlook it, over clubs might not and it could put them off a potential transfer later in his career.
By staying in West Yorkshire and battling with the club, for at least one more year, he could have boosted his reputation.
In other Leeds United news, another exit from the club is set to be announced as a five-year contract is agreed.