Alan Shearer was critical of Wilfried Gnonto during Leeds United’s 2-0 defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup.
The ‘smart’ £20,000-a-week winger has been a revelation for the Whites this season, earning plaudits from the likes of Paulo Di Canio, Gary Neville and Clinton Morrison. The 19-year-old’s quick feet, pace to burn and directness has made him a threat for several defences in the Premier League.
But as Leeds lost in their second game of the Javi Gracia era in the FA Cup, Alan Shearer was not particularly blown away by how Wilfried Gnonto performed at Craven Cottage.
Alan Shearer was not impressed by Wilfried Gnonto during Leeds vs Fulham
It perhaps sums up the Whites’ night that their most in-form player since the World Cup was far from his breath-taking best on Tuesday.
Alan Shearer told BBC One that he was also not a fan of the display on show from Wilfried Gnonto for Leeds against Fulham.
“Yeah, he’s struggled tonight, Gnonto, he’s not really had that space to run into. Not been his night tonight. And that happens, you’ve just got to say, ‘okay, someone else’s turn.’ See if you can make a difference.”
Only natural for a player this young
Considering the Italian international was brought into the club as such a young age, many perhaps would have foreseen him to have undergone an adaptation period in his debut season.
Instead, Wilfried Gnonto, who underwhelmed for Leeds against Fulham according to Alan Shearer has carried the side on his back and been a rare ray of hope for a team that have flattered to deceive.
Perhaps taking on a leadership role by example has made many take for granted the fact that the electric wideman is only just a teenager, who is expected to go through ebbs and flows, especially at this stage in his career.
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