On Monday night, Willy Gnonto scored his first goal in Leeds United colours – albeit for the U21 side as he continues to wait for his first-team Leeds debut and Robert Mancini has given his take on Jesse Marsch’s usage of teen Gnonto.
Gnonto, 18, joined Leeds on deadline day in what has been a whirlwind six weeks for the teenage talent. It comes after Leeds failed in moves to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, and then Bamba Dieng from Ligue 1 side Marseille.
Targeted earlier in the window by Leeds, the Whites moved swiftly to bring him in. He immediately made his debut for the 21’s in a 6-2 win over Southampton. Then jetting off to represent Italy – playing against England and Hungary.
He has since returned from international duty. But he has remained an unused substitute in Premier League matches against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Italy boss Mancini spoke out about his lack of action for the Leeds first team.
“Gnonto is a young kid, and he’s only just arrived. So maybe he will need time to settle in,” Mancini told Italian newspaper TuttoSport, as per Tribal Football, when asked about Gnonto not yet making his debut for Marsch’s Leeds.
Mancini gives take on Marsch’s usage of Leeds teen Gnonto
While his first game against Aston Villa was always going to be unlikely to see Gnonto used, given Leeds went down to 10 men – Sunday proposed the ideal moment. Leeds went 2-1 down – and needed a goal from somewhere.
But Marsch overlooked Gnonto. He brought on Crysencio Summerville for Patrick Bamford – with the latter still coming back from injury. Then, he took off Brenden Aaronson – which has been criticised. Gnonto remained an unused sub.
Gnonto should have been given a chance to have a run at Palace’s defence towards the end of the 2-1 defeat. With Leeds now winless in five, Leeds take on Arsenal this weekend. It will be interesting to see if Gnonto is used.
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