Gary Neville raved about Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto on Sky Sports Premier League while watching him in action against Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League on Friday evening.
The former Manchester United defender was hugely impressed by Gnonto, who started out wide for Leeds against Villa.
Neville was on co-commentary duty for the Premier League match on Sky Sports.
Praise for Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto v Aston Villa
The pundit said about Gnonto during the game, as transcribed by BBC Sport: “He is absolutely fantastic.
“It is the first time I’ve seen him live, and knowing what a good left winger is, his movement to get on the ball and his body shape to receive the ball is absolutely fantastic.
“He is tenacious as well. That is what you want from your players.
“He is saying ‘come on, Ashley Young is booting the hell out of me’. Ashley Young will, that’s what I’d do against a 19-year-old who looks as good as he looks.
“His movement has been really good. I could watch him all day long. He knows the game already at 19. He knows the position he’s playing in.
“He’s hanging right on the line of offside and making it difficult for Young and making those double movements.”
Impressive
In our view, Wilfried Gnonto is one of the best young players around and is starting to make himself a key figure at Leeds United.
That the 19-year-old has already eight times for Italy shows just how good he is.
Against Aston Villa on Friday evening, the 19-year-old was very lively and was a constant problem for Ashley Young.
Gnonto ran with the ball at the Villa players, checked his runs and timed them to perfection, and was also involved in Patrick Bamford’s goal.
The teenager showed his pace against Villa, and his intelligence both on the ball and off it was there for everyone to see.
We think that Leeds have a real gem in Gnonto, who could play a massive role in the West Yorkshire club’s quest to escape the dreaded drop to the Championship at the end of the season.
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