Wilfried Gnonto’s Leeds exit looks nailed on after what Daniel Farke has done
Wilfried Gnonto’s Leeds United career is surely coming to an end.
The Italian winger burst onto the scene as an exciting youngster after joining Leeds from Swiss side FC Zurich in July 2022.
He has scored 23 goals for the Whites in that time, and has provided several moments of magic to light up Elland Road.
Gnonto was impressive in the Championship last season, registering 15 goal contributions as Leeds won the title on their return to the top flight.
The 22-year-old scored in Leeds’ 3-1 win over Derby in the FA Cup third round, but it’s clear that Daniel Farke doesn’t believe he has the quality to start in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s 3-5-2 tactic has spelt trouble for Wilfried Gnonto at Leeds
Farke changed to a 3-5-2 tactic against Man City on 29 November, and Leeds have been incredible ever since.
The Whites have only lost twice since the start of December, and the German head coach has finally found a successful formula.
Because Leeds are excelling with two strikers and two wing-backs out wide, Gnonto has paid a heavy price.
| Stat | Gnonto |
| Appearances | 14 |
| Starts | 4 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
According to Sofascore, he has only played 349 minutes of Premier League football in 2025-26 and hasn’t started a Premier League match since the 3-2 loss to Man City, 13 games ago.
To make matters worse, Farke didn’t sub him on during Leeds’ 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Friday.
The fact that he wasn’t considered by his manager when the Whites were 3-0 up is damning, to say the least.
It makes it even more likely that Gnonto will leave Elland Road in the summer, and although he has been a brilliant player for the club, it’s fair to say that they’ve moved on from him.
An added blow for Gnonto is the arrival of Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton.
Facundo Buonanotte’s arrival is the final nail in the coffin for Gnonto
Leeds were linked with signing Buonanotte on loan in the summer, but Chelsea swooped in and landed him on a temporary deal themselves.
However, the Argentine has finally made his way to LS11, and he is certainly a player whose qualities resemble Gnonto’s.
Both players are small and technical, but Gnonto doesn’t have the ability to play centrally, unlike his counterpart.
Farke’s decision to sign Buonanotte in the winter transfer window shows that he doesn’t completely trust the Italian.
He has already been linked with leaving Leeds, who will look to sign a creative player on a permanent deal in the summer.
And it now feels inevitable that Gnonto will not be playing for the Peacocks next season.