Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto is set to miss the start of pre-season after being named in Italy’s U21s squad for the European Championships.
That is according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, who report Leeds are scheduled to return from their summer break on July 2, six days before the end of the EUROs.
Gnonto has already been named in Italy’s senior squad for the Nations League finals, where he will come up against Rodrigo Moreno and Spain in the semi-finals on Thursday.
It is reported he could then jet straight off to join the U21s setup for the beginning of the tournament, with Italy in a group alongside Illan Meslier’s France, Leo Hjelde and Kristoffer Klaesson’s Norway, as well as Switzerland.
Regardless of how far Italy progress, Gnonto will need some sort of break and therefore will almost certainly be absent for when the rest of the squad return to Thorp Arch.
Gnonto to miss start of pre-season
According to Joe Donnohue, Gnonto has spoken previously that the last time he took a holiday was now three years ago.
There quite simply is far too much football and players his age risk being burnt out far earlier on in his career than those who were playing in the early 2000s.
From a Leeds perspective, it is also extremely frustrating he will be absent for pre-season given there will be a new manager at the helm, and potentially some new players.
Gnonto will behind everyone else in terms of adapting to a new style of play, and gelling with new teammates, which may mean a slow start to his season.
That said, speculation on his future remains rife and Leeds do still face a fight to keep him at the club, but he is one they are determined to fend off interest for.
The 19-year-old established himself as one of the best young players in the Premier League last season, with Gary Neville labelling him as ‘absolutely fantastic’ while on commentary duty for Leeds’ defeat at Aston Villa in January.
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