The Italian media has delivered its verdict on Leeds United attacker Willy Gnonto’s performance for Italy U21s this evening.
The Young Azzurri were held to a 1-1 draw by Turkey in their latest U21s EURO 2025 qualification match, with a stoppage time equaliser from Semih Kilicsoy meaning Gnonto’s side were forced to settle for a point.
Gnonto had captained his side to a 2-0 win over Latvia last week and though he did not have the armband today, made another telling contribution for his country.
It was his assist for Daniele Ghilardi which helped Italy open the scoring on the night, which should keep his confidence levels high after an excellent few weeks in a Leeds shirt which has seen him score six goals in nine league starts.
The 20-year-old will still have hope of representing Italy at the EUROs this summer and so knew a strong international break, as well as a good end to the season, will be paramount to his chances.
Italian media deliver verdict on Leeds star Gnonto’s performance
Gnonto has very much been used in a wide role during his time at Leeds, primarily on the left last season, before moving over to the right under Daniel Farke this term.
However, Gnonto has often been used centrally for his country and that was no different tonight, as he played in a front two alongside former Leicester City loanee Cesare Casadei.
Clearly it is a position he finds comfortable as on the only occasion he did it for Leeds against Cardiff City back in August, he was pretty impressive.
Italian outlet OA Calcio delivered a quick verdict on Gnonto’s performance after the game and wrote that his quick, technical play was too much for Turkey’s defence at times. Of course the good news for Leeds is, he came through seemingly unscathed.
They wrote: “Plays from the bank, is fast, technical and makes the Turks suffer. His header was decisive and later became an assist for Ghilari. Rating: 6.5/10.“
Gnonto could play central for Leeds if Rutter is out
With Georginio Rutter doubtful for Leeds’ match at Watford on Friday after undergoing minor surgery on a hernia last week, Farke could face a big selection decision.
Joel Piroe is, of course, the obvious replacement in that deeper position, but he doesn’t really possess any of the attributes Rutter does and so Leeds would lose a lot in that role.
Given it is where he plays for Italy, one solution could be moving Gnonto into that number 10 position just off Patrick Bamford. He certainly has the link-up play for it.
That would allow the in-form Dan James to come in from the start, despite the fact he has thrived in that super sub role as of late. Crysencio Summerville would be on the left.