Wilfried Gnonto is continuing to prove his talents at Leeds United, becoming a symbol of Serie A’s issue with trusting young players, Apollo Heyes writes.
The 19-year-old Italian forward started his career in the Inter youth system before eventually leaving for FC Zurich in July 2020, believing that he’d not be given a chance to shine in a first team environment had he stayed in Italy.
The risk paid off and Gnonto went on to score 12 goals and provide 10 assists in 74 appearances for the Swiss outfit, earning a call-up to the Italy national team. The teenager again rose to the occasion and provided an exciting assist on his debut against Germany.
Gnonto then made the jump to the Premier League, joining Leeds for around €4.5m last year. His start in England was initially slow before he finally broke into the first team in late October, quickly becoming a fan favourite for his abilities on the ball and tireless work rate.
The Inter youth product made headlines on Wednesday after scoring in the opening minute of Leeds’ away trip to Manchester United, becoming the youngster overseas player to score against the hosts at Old Trafford.
Gnonto and his career progression are emblematic of a key issue plaguing Italian football, the lack of trust in young prospects. Italy coach Roberto Mancini has highlighted this on several occasions and it’s not hard to see why, with many teams in the topflight petrified about the concept of regularly playing a promising teenager from their Primavera squad.
Gnonto’s decision to leave Italy for FC Zurich saw him avoid the path that many talented Italians fall down – impressing with the Primavera squad before bouncing around on loan to second or third tier sides, never being given a real chance in their respective first teams.
It’s a story that every fan of a top or rising Serie A side is aware of and one that doesn’t seem to be changing, with the exception of Juventus, who decided to set up a true second team in Serie C, allowing them to integrate rising youngsters like Fabio Miretti and Nicolo Fagioli into their first team.
Back in September 2022, the CIES Football Observatory analysed the youngest teams from 60 leagues around the world. When looking at Europe’s top five leagues, only three Italian teams broke into the top 20 youngest squads – Lecce (average age 24.56), Empoli (average age 25.31) and Torino (25.65) – a sign of Italy’s deserved reputation as a league for older players.
If the Azzurri want to maintain their reputation as one of the stalwarts of European football, something that has been in question following their recent World Cup miseries, then clubs in the topflight need to start taking risk before the talent pipeline runs dry.
Gnonto’s impressive start to life in the Premier League sends an important message to rising stars in Italy – if you want your chance, it may be better off moving away than waiting for Serie A to call.