Italy international Wilfried Gnonto insists he is grateful to Inter and discusses his spell at Leeds United, which has seen him score against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old, a product of Inter academy, moved to Elland Road last summer from Zurich and has scored four goals in 20 appearances this term.
Gnonto is one of the three centre forwards called by Italy CT Roberto Mancini for the next two games against England and Malta and could start against the Three Lions on Thursday at the Stadio Maradona in Naples.
“When I was a kid playing in Inter’s youth sector, Mancini was the first team’s coach and I’d never imagined I’d be in the national team with him one day,” Gnonto told Il Corriere della Sera.
He went on by saying that the game with England would be “special” and with “a double value” for him.
The other two centre forwards available for the Azzurri are Gianluca Scamacca and Argentine-born forward Mateo Retegui, someone who Gnonto “didn’t know much.”
“However, if he [Retegui] is here, it means that he has the quality and needs time to express them,” said the 19-year-old.
Gnonto admitted that it was strange not to see Italy at Qatar 2022: “I haven’t watched Italy play at the World Cup many times, but our history says we must be there,” he said.
“I will forever be grateful to Inter, but I don’t think it’s a wasted chance,” the striker continued.
“I had to make a decision, I went to Switzerland to get regular playing time, and I think it was the correct decision for my family and me.”
Gnonto had joined Zurich from Inter in 2020 and last summer he signed for Leeds United on the deadline day.
“I no longer believed I could make it, it all happened very quickly and I didn’t have time to realise it. Personally, the impact was good, but the team has had a few highs and lows,” he admitted.
Gnonto initially played for the Leeds U21 squad.
“The coach thought it was the best path for me, but I was looking forward to playing with the first team to give my contribution,” he said.
“It seems like a dream, I am from Baveno and I’d never imagined playing in the Premier League one day. I am proud, but I try to improve every day.
Gnonto scored one of his four Leeds goals at Old Trafford against Manchester United in February. What was the thing that stuck with him the most about that strike?
“The silence, because the goal was unexpected, after one minute, it was a nice moment.”
However, what has impressed him the most about the Premier League is somehow different.
“It’s the atmosphere because fans always make you feel the importance of the game, you can tell there is a great footballing culture.” At the same time, the Premier League player who has surprised him the most is “Marcus Rashford.”
English media have also compared Gnonto to Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling: “Many say we are similar it was incredible to face him in the Premier League, but I am enjoying every moment,” said the Italy striker.
Gnonto didn’t make his Serie A debut at Inter but can see the difference between Italian football and the Premier League.
“Facilities in England are great, and there is more pressure in Italy.”
Last but not least, the 19-year-old revealed he’s getting his driving licence: “I am doing it, but in England and it’s such a mess!”
STRUCK* by old Trafford’s reaction.