Leeds United fans got their first glimpse of Willy Gnonto’s talents on the international stage on Friday as he came off the bench in the win against England.
For most Leeds fans, the overarching mood following Friday’s game at the San Siro was that of sheer disbelief at how a Three Lions side with such attacking talent is not being utilised properly.
However, there was a crumb of excitement for the Leeds fanbase coming from Roberto Mancini’s decision to hand Willy Gnonto his fifth cap in the second half, with the scores at 0-0.
His partnership with Giacomo Raspadori did bring more direct threat to the England back five, with the Napoli striker opening the scoring with a fine effort from space on the edge of the box, while Gnonto occupied Harry Maguire.
In total, Gnonto managed a lively 35 minutes up front for the Azzuri where he looked to pose a threat through a mixture of runs in behind while drifting wide to pick up the ball and exploit space behind the full-backs.
It wasn’t a game where he managed to muster up much in front of goal, as he didn’t register a shot (stats via Wyscout), but had two crosses cut out as he got into good spaces out wide – one of those on a loose ball from a corner that could have been an attempt at goal, blocked in a crowded area.
Should Gnonto go straight into the first-team?
Yes
No
Out of Gnonto’s nine passes, he managed six successful ones, keeping the ball pretty well in the final third while still looking to add another goal to the scoreline.
His strengths were on show through his ball carrying though, as he managed two out of two successful dribbles, beating Luke Shaw and Reece James on either flank, while also winning two fouls to take the sting out of the game:
With Italy holding onto a slender lead, it needed a lot of work against possession for Gnonto to consider his cameo a success, which he can be happy with, winning six out of 12 duels in just over half an hour – a failed duel being his hefty foul on Jack Grealish.
Gnonto might want to be getting on the scoresheet in tonight’s game against Hungary, but his efforts all round against England show that Mancini sees much more to his game already, despite being just 18.
Energetic, direct, but also measured with his decision-making, it was a very encouraging display from the Italian teen.