Wilfried Gnonto speaks out about ‘nuclear’ Leeds United fallout last summer
Wilfried Gnonto has opened up about his Leeds United fallout at the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign, having nearly forced his way out at Elland Road.
Following the Whites’ relegation to the Championship, the Italian winger refused to play against Birmingham City in the second game of the season, sparking drama with Daniel Farke.
His representatives hit the “nuclear” button, handing in a formal transfer request to chairman Paraag Marathe, as Gnonto missed three matches before apologising. [Leeds Live]
Speaking to Leeds Live on Tuesday (21 May), Gnonto said: “I remember, in August, being by myself thinking about these types of moments. I was a bit down, but this was my motivation.
“At the start of the season, I was thinking what could have been at the end of the season. Being in this situation now, in this position, is just amazing. I just want to give myself and the team the reward we deserve.
“It’s really important for a player to feel like someone trusts you and I feel like the coach has been like this with everyone, to be fair. He has been quite fair.
“Everyone has had chances. At one point, I probably feel like I needed someone to just come and be honest. When we speak about the different people, the coach, for example, Stuart Dallas and Coops [Liam Cooper] and Cree [Summerville], Glen [Kamara], so many players came to me and they actually helped me a lot.
“I feel like in my confidence, you can see [it] because I’m quite confident as a person, but you have different moments throughout the season. And at different moments when I didn’t feel that confidence, I’m really grateful for everyone in this team.
“I just want to achieve our goal and keep going and see what’s going to happen in the future.”
Wilfried Gnonto goes from zero to hero for Leeds United
It has been an incredible change for Gnonto this season, having gone from nearly exiting the club to becoming one of Farke’s most important players.
Despite Dan James’ incredible campaign, the 20-year-old has taken over in recent weeks and has kept his place in the starting XI, even with the Welshman’s return from injury.
Gnonto has nine goals and three assists in all competitions, and to make it all the more exciting, it is clear that the youngster still has plenty of room to develop.
It is not a very usual scenario to see such a drastic turnaround for a football player. However, he is one of the most loved figures at Elland Road and will be hoping to repay the fans in the Championship play-off final.
Leeds are set to face Southampton at Wembley on Sunday 26 May, a match which could see the club bounce straight back up to the Premier League.
If that were to happen, Gnonto would have played a significant role since nearly leaving last summer.
In other Leeds United news, a Premier League side has confirmed talks over signing a Whites player in the summer transfer window.
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