Ben Parker told LS11’s latest podcast that Leeds United’s leadership group – the likes of Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Patrick Bamford and Stuart Dallas – need to talk to Willy Gnonto after his return to training.
Gnonto, 19, is back in Leeds training. It comes after refusing to play for Leeds over the last three games against Shrewsbury, Birmingham and then West Brom. But BBC say he has had talks with Daniel Farke.
Angus Kinnear, too. It has seen him return to training and it is now expected that he could be available to play against Ipswich on Saturday, at Portman Road. So, Gnonto is back. But what will the mood be like?
Surely, the Leeds players cannot be too happy with his behaviour – his refusal to play is disrespecting the rest of the squad. Ex-Leeds defender Parker says the leadership group need to talk to Gnonto.
“Probably not [some will be unhappy]. You can imagine the leadership group – Coops, Ayling, Bamford, Dallas – the senior guys will be having a word. Everyone has got to be on the same page,” Parker said.
“It is all good the manager and Angus saying he is back in, but all the players have to be bang on it too. You don’t have to like the individual or go out for dinner. But you have that level of respect on the pitch.”
Ben Parker: Leeds leadership group need to talk to Willy Gnonto
Parker is right. Yes, the manager can be happy with Gnonto after a meeting and Kinnear, too. But, the players are the ones that actually have to play with him, train with him, socialise with the Italian talent.
The players may feel disrespected by Gnonto. He clearly thinks he is above them and would rather not play alongside his current teammates, in order to secure a move. He needs to apologise to the team.
Do so, and the respect will be back in place. That would bode well ahead of Saturday’s trip to Ipswich, which is going to be an incredibly difficult game. Ipswich sit top of the league, after three league wins.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
