Sky Sports pundit: Willy Gnonto can still salvage Leeds United career, ‘there’s always a way back’
Jermaine Beckford has told Willy Gnonto that his Leeds United career “could be salvageable”, as long as the young forward puts Everton transfer speculation to one side and fights for his place.
Leeds announced on Friday [11 August] that they had opened disciplinary proceedings against Gnonto after the Italy international refused to make himself available for games against Shrewsbury Town and Birmingham City.
The Whites have turned down two bids from Everton for Gnonto [The Times] and have reiterated that the 19-year-old – who has spent just one season at Elland Road – is not for sale this summer.
United supporters made their anger known by aiming a chant towards Gnonto in their 1-0 loss at Birmingham on Saturday [12 August], but former Leeds forward Beckford can see a way back for the teenager should the Yorkshire side stand firm and reject all offers.
Speaking to Leeds’ official YouTube channel [12 August, 8m 1s], Beckford said: “Yes it could be salvageable, as long as when he’s called upon, he knuckles down, puts the work in and shows us that big smile.
“Ultimately, if there’s a move on the table, there’s a move on the table. There’s not much people can do as long as the price and valuation is met.
“What we want to see form the other side of it, is the positivity that got him noticed in the first place. As long as he continues doing that, there’s always a way back.”
Redemption
It remains to be seen just how interested Everton are in Gnonto after having a second bid rejected. After all, BBC Sport reported on Sunday [13 August] that the Toffees are very close to landing Leeds team-mate Jack Harrison, while Udinese striker Beto is another target.
Gnonto has also been touted as a target for Bundesliga side Freiburg [Bild], but with three weeks of the window left to run, it may well be that the Italian ends up staying at Elland Road.
That would make for an awkward situation given that supporters have already told Gnonto not to come back, while manager Daniel Farke also informed those who have no interest in playing for Leeds to stay away.
Ultimately, though, if the former FC Zurich ace is still on United’s books come the end of play on September 1, Farke quite simply has to utilise his talents.
Gnonto would not be the first player to be left in the lurch by a move falling through – the same could also happen for teammate Tyler Adams – and others have managed to win supporters back over.
Fanbases are fickle by their very nature, and should Gnonto find the net the next time he plays, there is no doubt he will be on his way back to being in the supporters’ good books.
In other Leeds news, the Supporters’ Trust has reached out to the club for “an understanding of what is happening” as another first-team player edges closer to the Elland Road exit.