Leeds United have released an official statement on Wilfried Gnonto following the forwards absence from their midweek game.
The Italian missed out on Leeds’ EFL Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town. After the game, Daniel Farke revealed the player did not make himself available for the match.
Daniel Farke leaves a question mark over Willy Gnonto's future by revealing the forward was fit but unavailable for Leeds United's win over Shrewsbury.
To this point, Gnonto is one player who Leeds have refused to consider selling.
Story @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/lQaJ3F7POS
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) August 9, 2023
Now, the club have released a statement on the issue. Leeds have revealed that the representatives of the player have been involved in the situation and Gnonto wants to sit out this weekend’s game against Birmingham City.
The full statement reads:
“Earlier this week, Willy Gnonto and his representatives were informed by the club that he would not be sold this summer.
Following those conversations, Willy felt he was unable to play in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie with Shrewsbury Town.
Despite training for the last two days, Willy has informed Daniel Farke that he still does not feel able to play this weekend and has not travelled to Birmingham for the game tomorrow.
This is now an internal disciplinary matter and the club will make no further comment, other than to reiterate that Willy Gnonto is not for sale.”
Willy Gnonto has not travelled with the squad for tomorrow’s Championship fixture vs Birmingham City after sitting out Shrewsbury in midweek. #LUFC say they are dealing with the matter internally, after disclosing to the player & his representatives that he would not be sold.
— Joe Donnohue (@JoeDonnohue) August 11, 2023
The Italian has refused to travel for this weekend’s game, but the club are adamant that he won’t be sold.
Disgraceful
He’s still very young and, in soccer terms, raw. He needs game time to build experience and confidence. He’ll get a lot more game time at Leeds than at a so-called top club. No club is willing to pay even 20 million for him — an Italian international with ALL his best years ahead of him. IF he is going to be so good, 20-30 million looks like a good investment. If he stays with LU and ‘tears up’ the ‘Championship’ the Italians would be crazy to ignore him for their international squad. It’s down to him to ‘man up’ and PROVE he’s that good – if he is? How times have changed! I can remember watching Haynes, Clayton Douglas, Gregg, Charles all current internationals playing in the 2nd division in the space of 7 or 8 weeks (not forgetting a ‘raw’ Charlton, J). He reminds me of Albert Johanneson… Read more »