Italy international Wilfried Gnonto admits Roberto Mancini’s words about young players ‘inspired’ his move to Leeds last summer.
The former Inter striker moved to England from Zurich in August 2022 and has scored three goals in 10 appearances with the senior team this term.
“The Premier League is one of the best leagues in Europe, if not the best. There is high intensity, it’s a great challenge for me because I can face the best players,” the 19-year-old told Gazzetta.
Why did he join Leeds?
“Since the very first moment I spoke to director Victor Orta, I’ve felt trust,” the striker said.
“I thought that the club’s ambition matches mine and that this is the best club to grow. We play attacking football, and my qualities fit the team well.
“Luckily, Jesse Marsch and my previous coach Jesse Marsch have similar ideas, so it wasn’t too difficult to adapt. Intensity is different, it’s incredible and it was a little more difficult to adapt to it.”
Did he discuss his transfer with Italy coach Roberto Mancini?
“We’ve never spoken about it, but his words on young players who need to play at a high level inspired my decision,” admitted Gnonto.
“I don’t think a young player must go abroad to develop. The most important thing is to play, and if there isn’t this possibility in Italy, it’s worth trying elsewhere.”
Gnonto is a product of Inter academy but left the Nerazzurri in 2020 to join Zurich.
“I owe a lot to Inter, I spent eight crucial years of my career there. It would be a great honour to face them one day. The sporting project is always my priority and I take every decision depending on it.”
During his time at Inter, Gnonto trained under Antonio Conte with the senior team but never made his Serie A debut. He scored one goal in 12 Primavera appearances and nine in 65 matches in the Swiss’ Super League.
Gnonto made his senior Azzurri debut on June 4, 2022 and has one goal in eight appearances with the Azzurri.
Leeds paid €4.5m to secure his services last summer and his contract with the Premier League side expires in June 2027.
Bravo Forza Willy MOT
An intelligent person, I am sure he will give his all at Leeds and when he finally moves lm he will not be as some other who moved to warm the bench in oil club.