Junior Firpo has told the Official Leeds United podcast that Willy Gnonto is “unbelievable” and that the left-back has been blown away by his “maturity” on and off the pitch – even though he started at Leeds in a bit of a shy manner.
Gnonto, 19, has become a fan favourite at Elland Road since joining the club for a bargain £4m from Zurich. Playing 20 times at senior level, the Italy star has clocked up seven goal involvements – scoring four goals, creating three.
Of those four goals, includes a strike at Old Trafford against our bitter rivals and a Paolo Di Canio-esque scissor kick in the FA Cup against Cardiff City. Such form has not gone unnoticed in recent weeks, with Gnonto being linked.
Indeed, Italian outlet Il Giorno claim clubs will have to pay £44m if they want to sign Gnonto – which would see the club rake in £40m as well as their initial outlay. Firpo raved about the Leeds ace when asked about him this week.
“Nobody expected it, when he first came in. He is a shy guy, didn’t talk too much; on the pitch, too. But unbelievable from day one. Maturity on the pitch for a 19-year-old is not normal. I’m really happy for him, he’s such a nice guy.”
Firpo says Gnonto unbelievable and blown away by Leeds star’s maturity
Leeds have got to keep Gnonto this summer. The winger is just starting to find his feet at Elland Road and it is his form in a Leeds shirt that has got clubs circling. But if he is to keep progressing, he needs to remain at Leeds.
Now, relegation of course, changes everything. But with Leeds sitting in a more-solid 14th place, the hope is that Leeds have everything in their hands to keep themselves out of trouble. Gnonto needs to stay to further his career.
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