July 8, 2024

Leeds United

Despite his betrayals during the summer, he could have already cleared his locker at Elland Road.

Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto should be nowhere near the matchday squad when they take on Leicester City on Friday and he may well have fast-tracked his sale after what he did at Elland Road recently.

Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth reported on Monday (30 October) after their 4-1 win over Huddersfield on Saturday (28 October) that the Italian international headed straight back to the Leeds United dressing room after his side’s convinc

The Italy international had minimal impact after being introduced as a second-half substitute at Elland Road on Saturday (28 October) and Smyth shared that he headed straight down the tunnel rather than applauding the fans with his teammates.

Leeds United

All the talk of the Italian’s exit at Elland Road really isn’t going away after Leeds Live reported on 24 October that the West Midlands outfit could change their stance on Gnonto if a £30m offer arrived in January.

The former FC Zurich youngster has suffered from something of a failed summer move hangover, rarely getting going again in a Leeds United shirt after he didn’t get his wish during the transfer window.

Gnonto was a target for Everton during the summer window and even refused to play for Leeds in an attempt to force a move to Goodison Park and the belief is now that should a bid arrive for both the 19-year-old and fellow wonderkid Crysencio Summerville, it will make “more sense” to keep the Dutchman at Elland Road.

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Gnonto has been unable to find his feet in the Championship, only scoring and assisting once in six matches as he’s been sidelined with injury and was a surprise starter in their 1-0 defeat to Stoke before being correctly hooked off which should have come well earlier.

Leeds United

As per SofaScore, Gnonto rarely touched the ball with just 38 touches throughout his 70 minutes on the pitch, failed to register a single key pass, failed 100% of his dribbles, won just four of his 11 ground duels at a disastrous 36% success rate, had a 0% success rate from his crosses and did not register a single shot on target, while losing possession 13 times.

Most fans expected Gnonto to take the Championship by storm this season after the 19-year-old was so impressive in his first season in the Premier League, where he registered six goal contributions in just 14 top-flight starts under Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce.

Despite celebrating with Summerville with a big smile on his face after his goal against Huddersfield, Gnonto didn’t look too interested when getting on the pitch himself.

Graham Smyth even noticed the young attacker head straight down the tunnel after full-time, ignoring the fans who have welcomed him back despite his betrayals over the summer which certainly suggests he may well have emptied his locker at Elland Road already.

Leeds United

For that reason alone, the Italian must be nowhere near the match-day squad when they travel to the King Power on Friday (3 November). In such a crucial high-stakes game, so early in the season, Farke cannot afford any slackers or sulkers to derail their chances of getting a crucial result.

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