Leeds United wonderkid Wilfried Gnonto is making a huge impact in the Premier League but admits he may have unfinished business at Serie A giants, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The sight of Brentford’s defenders doubling and sometimes even tripling up on a 19-year-old making just his ninth Premier League start spoke volumes. This is the season of the teenager. And Gnonto’s impact is right up there with that made by Romeo Lavia, Alejandro Garnacho and Rico Lewis.
His exhilarating performance against Aston Villa earlier in January had Gary Neville’s hamstrings tightening in the commentary booth, while that sumptuous volley in the 5-2 FA Cup hammering of Cardiff City means Leeds’ Goal of the Season award can probably be wrapped up and delivered to Gnonto’s doorstep already.
Leeds paid just £3.8 million to sign the Italy international from FC Zurich on deadline day. How much would he cost these days? Well, you can probably remove that decimal point for a start.
Wilfried Gnonto is shining at Leeds United after leaving Inter Milan
“Gnonto looks absolutely fantastic,” Neville told Sky Sports (13 January, 8pm). “He knows the position, the movement to get on the ball, the body shape to receive the ball. It’s absolutely fantastic. And he’s tenacious as well.”
Barely six months into a contract which runs until 2027, Gnonto is focusing on one thing and one thing only; keeping Leeds United out of the relegation zone. A return to the San Siro can wait, even if Italy’s youngest-ever goalscorer would consider a second spell in blue-and-black stripes at some point.
“I owe a lot to Inter. (The Nerazzuri gave me) eight fundamental years for my growth that led me to be the footballer and man I am now,” Gnonto explains. “Playing for or against Inter would always be a great honour.”
The Verbania-born wonderkid spent nearly a decade at Inter Milan between 2012 and 2020. He left for Switzerland without ever making a first-team appearance, however; something which infuriated Inter director Beppe Marotta no end.
Leeds supporters can sleep easy for the time being, however. Gnonto is fully committed to his current employers.
The sporting project has always been my prerogative,” Gnonto adds. “And any choice relating to my career is always made according to that.
“The Premier League is one of the best leagues in Europe, if not the best. All the teams play openly and there’s a very high intensity. It’s a huge challenge for me. I have the opportunity to confront myself every week with some of the best players.”
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