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“Make mistakes” – Leeds United ace issues mature verdict on Elland Road switch

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Leeds United’s new signing Wilfried Gnonto, 18, signed on deadline day last week from FC Zurich on a five-year-contract.

He signed for a reported £3.8million per The Mail. Gnonto is a full Italian international already, with four caps to his name, and became the countries youngest ever goal scorer in a game against Germany earlier this year.

Leeds had been on the hunt for that elusive forward all summer until the Italian joined at the 11th hour. It remains to be seen how involved in Jesse Marsch’s first-team plans he will be this season.

Gnonto spoke recently about this, and his future as a player, and with Leeds United. 

Gnonto, quoted via a report from Phil Hay in The Athletic, was asked about spending another year in Switzerland with Zurich and the benefits of that versus a move to a stronger league. He said:

“Better a team, whoever it is, that gives me time to develop, make mistakes, and improve as a person and as a player.”

Wise words already for someone so young, from all his interviews so far, he seems down to earth and grounded. Further evidenced in speaking to LUTV, he said: “Leeds United is an incredible club with a great history. Playing in the Premier League is something I wanted, it’s something to drive me to work even more.”

Gnonto realised early on the need to get out of Italy to play regular games at a high level, his peers of a similar age from England are all playing for Premier League sides in elite football, but these chances are harder to come by in his home nation, hence the move to Leeds via Zurich.

He added: “It’s tougher in Italy for young players. If you’re decent, you get to play in England and Germany. No one looks at your birth certificate. It’s a different mentality. They’re braver.”

Can you see Gnonto featuring for the first-team this season?

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The main takeaway here is that Gnonto’s mentality is clearly elite.

Not wanting to stagnate in youth football for Inter’s development side, he made the move to men’s football as quickly as he could, moving across to Switzerland at 16.

It’s paid off, having contributed to 22 goals and assists in 74 games for Zurich; this will have been more beneficial to him than anything he could have achieved in Inter’s youth setup.

His short yet stocky frame will have made the step-up to men’s football easier than most players of a similar age. His raw pace and low centre of gravity matched with his strength relative to his size are the reasons for him adapting quicker.

He now clearly feels ready to make another step forward, and a big one at that, to the Premier League. Leeds fans will be hoping he is given opportunities this season, be that from the bench or starting games. 

Ignoring his best attributes in his speed and agility when dribbling. His versatility and adaptability into multiple forward positions should make him an asset, as not many other attackers are as multi-functional to the point where they can cover the amount of attacking positions that the new boy can.

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