Wilfried Gnonto started the season as the first-choice winger for Leeds United. However, a sustained run of poor form saw him lose his place to Manor Solomon in December. The Israeli has been in terrific form, which meant Gnonto has not had another opportunity to reclaim his spot. He has started just one of Leeds’ last eight league games and has firmly become a squad player. However, the Italian made an impact from the bench on Saturday when he came on and scored his first league goal in nearly two months in the 7-0 win over Cardiff City. Leeds hope that the goal will boost his confidence for the rest of the season and the team could do with Gnonto getting back to his best for the business end of the campaign.
The strike against Cardiff City was Gnonto’s fifth goal of the season, a paltry tally for a winger who was expected to step up following Crysencio Summerville’s departure last summer.
He has also registered five assists but the last of his assists came in early November and by the time he was dropped from the starting eleven, he was neither creating nor scoring for the Whites.
Solomon’s performances over the last month or so have vindicated Daniel Farke’s decision to drop Gnonto in favour of the Israeli. The Italian was not doing enough in the limited opportunities he was getting from the bench or the cup games.
However, he scored a confidence-boosting goal against Cardiff and the celebrations later told the story of a player who was waiting for the opportunity to show his talent and ability again in a Leeds shirt.
Leeds will hope the goal will translate into a sustained run of form, which the team need from Gnonto in the coming months.
An in-form Wilfried Gnonto at the business end of the season will be like gold for Leeds United
When Summerville and Georginio Rutter left last summer, Gnonto instantly became the attacker who was expected to be the main man this season.
There was Premier League interest in him but Leeds decided against selling the Italian and he also didn’t push for a move unlike in the summer of 2023.
Gnonto was expected to take over the mantle of being the key forward from Summerville this season but the Italian has struggled for consistency throughout the campaign.
It was no surprise that Farke decided to drop him in favour of Solomon in December, and the Leeds manager’s brave call has been justified by the team’s results since then.
Gnonto remains a popular member of the squad and the reaction of his teammates to his scoring was telling as they joined in the celebrations.
The Italian remains a talented young player who has represented Italy and was recently in demand at Premier League clubs. A more confident Gnonto will be a huge asset for Leeds at the business end of the season.
Farke would also love to have the option of changing up his wingers in some games or even resting Solomon without the levels of the team dropping.
A firing Gnonto will be massive for Leeds as they push towards earning automatic promotion to the Premier League with 16 games left in the season.
He is also fighting for his future at Elland Road
If Leeds get back to the Premier League at the end of the season, Farke will have to make some big decisions on the futures of several players in his squad.
The players who would earn promotion for Leeds might not be there to enjoy the fruits of their labour as the Whites would have to be ruthless with their recruitment if they have to survive in the Premier League.
A number of players could be deemed surplus to requirements as Leeds would be looking to raise the level of their squad by several manifolds in the summer.
Gnonto was impressive when Leeds were last in the Premier League but if things don’t improve soon, his recent form will count against him.
If the Italian continues to frustrate this season, there is a big chance that Leeds could decide to move him on in favour of bringing in more quality in the wide areas.
If he wants to play in the Premier League again, Gnonto will have to contribute in a major way in the coming months to ensure he stays at Leeds.
