Luciano Spalletti tells Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto how close he is to his Italy squad after watching Elland Road ace

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Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto played a key role in Italy U21’s draw with Ireland on Tuesday night as he captained the second string to a 1-1 draw and Euro 2025 qualification next summer.

Italy’s U21 side only played once during the October international break, after a 3-0 win against Norway last time out that pretty much secured first in Group A of Under-21 qualifying for next summer’s Euros.

On Tuesday night, Gnonto walked his side out against Ireland. Italy needed a draw, while Ireland needed to beat Italy to finish in the top two. The Leeds man initially continued his brilliant form in the first half.

The 20-year-old has four assists and a goal in three games for Leeds and on Tuesday, laid on an assist for Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei to score. But then, 15 minutes later, Gnonto missed a penalty.

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Luciano Spalletti shares thoughts on Leeds man Wilfried Gnonto

Brighton talent Andrew Moran, who is on loan at Stoke City, equalised for Ireland’s U21’s in the second half. A draw was enough for Italy to qualify in first despite second-placed Norway’s 5-1 win over Turkey.

It was Gnonto’s tenth cap for the 21’s, a player that already has 13 caps for the senior side. Italy’s senior manager Luciano Spalletti was in attendance in Trieste to watch the game and commented on Gnonto.

He said, as per TMW: “There are guys who can be part of our group, several good ones here. Baldanzi is the most ready, Gnonto has already been there, we work in close proximity. They tell us everything.”

The last time Wilfried Gnonto won a cap for Italy’s senior side

It has now been more than a year since Gnonto was picked by Italy’s senior team with most of his 13 caps coming under Roberto Mancini. Mancini said he couldn’t believe a Serie A team hadn’t signed Gnonto.

Luckily for Leeds though, it was only one game during the break and Gnonto should be fresh for Friday night when Daniel Farke’s men face Sheffield United at Elland Road in a massive Championship outing.

Unlike perhaps, Brenden Aaronson. The American played the entire 93 minutes of USA’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico on Wednesday morning and with jet lag, Aaronson may now be a doubt to face Sheffield United.