Leeds United coach Jesse Marsch was impressed with Italian talent Wilfried Gnonto and suggested that he’s changed his mind about the teenager.
The 18-year-old Italian forward joined the Premier League side from FC Zurich in the summer in a deal worth around €4.5m, earning the move after a strong two-year spell in Switzerland. Gnonto broke into the Azzurri first team in June, providing a key assist in the 1-1 draw with Germany and scoring in the 5-2 loss to Die Mannschaft later that month.
After Gnonto’s arrival to Leeds in the summer, Marsch suggested that the teenager wasn’t ready for the Premier League action just yet.
Speaking in a press conference, the Leeds coach suggested that his opinion has changed over the last few months.
“I can say that he has pleasantly surprised all of us in almost every way. First of all there was this video of him and I meeting in my office that went out and almost went viral, which was funny to me because it was a normal interaction of meeting a player.
“I think you can see even in that video his humbleness and is his maturity and then on the pitch and training. He’s been fantastic. I thought he was very good in the U21s match against Southampton.
“He will be in the squad this weekend and we think he can play a big role for us now. I guess you can say I would revise my statement.
“That statement had more to do, I think with the fact that we had targeted him and we identified him, but more for future windows and not exactly this one, but the fact that we’re able to start the process early I think is really advantageous for everyone.”
The 18-year-old Gnonto signed a five-year deal with Leeds in the summer and he’ll be hungry to make his Premier League debut soon.
This kid can play, and he seems to have the right attitude. He should be playing in Serie A.
Marsch would prefer they get another American that plays 100 KM/H with zero skill.
Forza Willy. Prove them wrong.