Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Tue 21 April 2026 13:10, UK

Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto does not appear to have the complete trust of Daniel Farke.

When Leeds signed Gnonto from Zurich in September 2022, they didn’t have particularly high hopes for the teenager straight away.

After missing out on other targets, Gnonto was recruited as one for the future.

Almost by accident, the Italian international became one of Leeds’ best players in the season they got relegated to the Championship.

Fast forward to the present, though, and Leeds are in much ruder health, which has not boded too well for Gnonto.

Amid his struggles for game time, Leeds boss Farke has praised Gnonto, while providing a hint at why he doesn’t play more at Elland Road.

Wilfried Gnonto heading for Leeds exit?

Last season, Gnonto scored nine goals and added six assists in 43 matches as Leeds won the Championship. He was a key player in that title run, but that is no longer the case.

This term, the 22-year-old has made 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and adding three assists.

The diminutive Italian admitted this season has been a disappointing one, partly because he has started just four Premier League games, coming off the bench against Wolves.

Summer signing Noah Okafor is on a hot streak right now, with the Swiss winger starting behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin in Leeds’ attack.

The 25-year-old’s physicality and running power are a real handful for defences.

While he tends to run out of steam after an hour or so, Okafor possesses a threat that Gnonto just doesn’t have, who is at his best when Leeds are trying to win a game, rather than defending a lead, something Farke alluded to after the Wolves match.

Beren Cross of The Athletic relayed that Farke admires Brenden Aaronson’s work rate, Okafor’s attacking threat, and Gnonto’s “spark”.

But when Leeds are up against it, Gnonto is not the best man for the job.

Via Sofascore, Gnonto has won one penalty for Leeds in the league this season, has created one big chance, has a passing success of 88 per cent, and has a dribbling success of 31 per cent.

Moreover, he is yet to score in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

Compared to Okafor, who has scored seven goals from an Expected Goals tally of 4.74 and has created four big chances, Gnonto’s numbers pale into insignificance.

Gnonto needs to have brilliant cameo displays to merit a starting spot. But for the time being, it seems he doesn’t offer enough to satisfy Farke’s total package demands.

And if Leeds stay up, it may be time for a parting of the ways this summer.

Gnonto not part of firing Leeds attack

Leeds took a risk signing Okafor, Calvert-Lewin, and Lukas Nmecha last summer.

The trio have had their fair share of injuries over the years, but this season, Leeds’ medical staff have largely kept that in check.

Together, they have 24 league goals this term and 26 in all competitions. Sadly for Gnonto, he has not really contributed to that.

If Leeds can keep this trio fit, their Premier League survival will be assured.

And who knows, they could even reach an FA Cup final in the coming weeks.