Leeds United and Italy forward Wilfried Gnonto has been praised for his performance in the U21 side’s 5-3 victory at Tranmere Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday evening.
The summer signing had been given an 8/10 rating for an impressive showing for the youth side by LeedsLive journalist William Jackson.
Gnonto signed for the Whites from FC Zürich for £3.8m as cover for Patrick Bamford this summer, but has had to settle with a spot in the U21 side as he gets used to his surroundings at Elland Road.
The 18-year-old had been entrusted to be part of an impressive U21 front-line in Tuesday’s trip to Tranmere, in a side including Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph.
And the six-time Italy international certainly impressed Jackson with his contribution at Prenton Park.
“Lively from the off and showed his class with some smart touches. Had a big role in Joseph’s goal, spotting the space and finding Greenwood with a quick free-kick. 8,” raved the LeedsLive journalist in his post-match player ratings article.
TIF Thoughts on Jackson’s comments
We believe that Leeds fans will be incredibly excited to see and hear that Gnonto is hitting the ground running in the U21 side, and is quickly becoming the star of the show.
Though initially signed as backup to Bamford, the Verbania-born forward’s performances may just try Jesse Marsch’s hand in the next few weeks, with the Italian bound to get a look in the senior side if he keeps up this impressive form.
Therefore, we believe that it may be sooner rather than later when we see Gnonto make a return on the £3.8m the Premier League side invested in him, and that price could be a bargain if he fulfils his undoubted potential.