"I saw, it’s beautiful and very similar [to mine]. A very difficult goal. Beautiful, beautiful." Paolo Di Canio was full of praise for compatriot Wilfried Gnonto after his stunning strike against Cardiff City last month. Gnonto was picked out by Rodrigo, as the teenager pulled away from Cardiff's Tom Sang before launching an unstoppable effort past Jak Alnwick.
The goal was reminiscent of Di Canio's stunning strike for West Ham against Wimbledon back in 2000, a memorable volley netted before Gnonto was born. In what has been a disappointing season for Leeds so far, Gnonto has been a ray of light. He bagged a superb opener in the Whites' 2-2 draw with Manchester United in midweek, becoming the youngest overseas player to score a Premier League goal against United at Old Trafford as he rifled past David De Gea with just 55 seconds on the clock.
Ultimately, the stalemate extended Leeds' winless run to eight matches, and considering their perilous position in the table, Jesse Marsch's dismissal this week wasn't a surprise. Yet with Gnonto in the side, Leeds know they have as good a chance as any at putting an opponent the sword in their bid to beat the drop.
Of course, when he did sign for Leeds, he wasn't expected to come in as a first team regular for the Yorkshire side. Gnonto was one of nine summer signings made by Leeds, and with Luis Sinisterra and Brendan Aaronson also arriving from Feyenoord and Salzburg, respectively, it was feasible to suggest that the teenager was signed for the future, rather than the here and now.
And yet, despite his age, Gnonto moved to Leeds with a wealth of experience behind him relative to his tender years. He quickly became a first team regular following his move from Inter to FC Zuerich in 2020, and his performances didn't go unnoticed by Italy boss Roberto Mancini, who handed Gnonto his first senior cap for the Azzurri. In June 2022, the attacker became Italy's youngest ever goalscorer having netted in the 5-2 UEFA Nations League defeat to Germany, a record that had stood since 1958.
As fate would have it, an eight-game winless run earlier in the season saw Marsch turn to Gnonto as Leeds sought to secure a vital three points, with the 19-year-old making his Premier League debut off the bench in their 2-1 win at Liverpool back in October. Having then come off the bench to help rescue all the spoils against Bournemouth the following week, Gnonto has been a regular starter for Leeds since.
What stands out most about Gnonto is that he isn't the most physically intimidating player on the pitch. At 5ft 6in, many would feel he's easy to shake off possession, yet opponents underestimate Gnonto at their own risk. Indeed, Gnonto is being dispossessed just 1.3 times per 90, which is a far cry from the other attackers in the Leeds squad such as Aaronson (3.1), Crysencio Summerville, Jack Harrison (both 2.2) and Sinisterra (2). When he does get the ball in the opposition half, he is able to retain possession to ensure Leeds attacks don't break down, and is part of the reason why, despite the team sitting 16th and just a point above the relegation zone, they have still scored 28 times this season, that more than five teams above them in the league.
As such, it's no wonder that opponents go to great lengths to minimise his impact, with Gnonto currently being fouled 2.8 times per 90, that the fourth most in the Premier League of those to register at least 600 minutes of action this season. He's clearly been identified as a key attacker in the Leeds ranks, and teams are eager to ensure he is unable to do the damage in the final third.
That being said, this hasn't curbed Gnonto's quest to put defences to the sword. The Italy international is attempting 5.4 dribbles per 90 in the Premier League this season, again the fourth highest of those to have registered at least 600 minutes of game time, and while he has returned a success rate of just 25.6%, players who are frequently stopped by any means necessary might then avoid seeking to get on the ball for fear of being injured or not have the confidence to try and take an opponent on.
For Gnonto, this determination to continously try and drive the ball past a marker should be applauded as he seeks to better opponents time and time again despite only being successful with one in every four attempted dribbles. Given his age, the right coaching will ensure this quality to his game improves in time, as the tools are there for Gnonto to really establish himself as a wing wizard.
Now, Gnonto may have come under criticism for a lack of output for Leeds this season as two goals and one assist isn't a great return for the winger, though the latter return would be higher were his teammates more prolific, something that the player himself can't control. A return of 1.8 key passes per 90 is second only to Harrison (2.2) of all Leeds players this season, so Gnonto is creating the chances and it's only a matter of time before that assist return rises.
Even off the ball, the teenage wideman offers plenty to help Leeds defensively and pressure opponents to create chances for the Whites. 1.8 tackles per 90 is a solid return from Gnonto, who looks to routinely get stuck in to help provide additional protection to the Leeds full-backs, and help create chances for Leeds.
Gnonto impressed during his two years in Switzerland with FC Zuerich and after biding his time to work his way into the Leeds first team, he has taken his chance to consolidate a regular spot in the side. Leeds may be enduring a dreary season, however Gnonto is most certainly proving a bright spark in a relegation-threatened campaign.
