Leeds United winger Willy Gnonto releases heartfelt statement as Daniel Farke reiterates trust
Leeds United winger Willy Gnonto has composed a passionate thank you card to his team-mates, the club’s staff and the supporters as he celebrates a benchmark he ‘never thought’ he would achieve.
Gnonto’s appearance off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday brought up his 100th appearance for Leeds since his September 2022 move from Swiss club FC Zurich.
The Italian international, still just 21 years of age, had to bide his time to make a first team breakthrough but once he came into the starting line-up in November 2022 he went on to start 14 times in the Premier League.
Though an ill-advised transfer request led to a term training away from Daniel Farke’s senior team at the start of the 2023/24, an apology won a second opportunity under the German and Gnonto featured 36 times in the Championship, scoring eight goals.
Gnonto has started 20 of this season’s 27 league matches and came off the bench six times, bringing four goals and five assists to the promotion push.
Competition in the wide areas is intense however, with Manor Solomon, Daniel James and Largie Ramazani combining for a further 14 goals and nine assists, so Gnonto has found himself on the bench in five of the past league games.
Farke has urged the winger to bounce back to his best goalscoring and creative form and feels Gnonto has improved this season.
“Congratulations to Willy – that he has my trust and backing is clear,” stated the manager.
“I don’t believe there’s another winger or attacking player that has started more games this season.
In the previous games this is more or less related to the Championship, maybe you experience a small drop in form or a time when you have to be rested a bit more.
Overall I’m satisfied with his progress as a person and a player, he takes more and more responsibility, more and more professional.
He becomes more fluid on the field, gets more engaged, not stagnant, much more active and energetic and adventurous, less predictable compared to previous season.
I appreciate how he grows, the only thing missing a tiny bit at the present is final result.
At the start of the season he was very much on it, in the last few weeks he was a touch unfortunate.
His workload is pretty fantastic, he’s always in a good mood in training, a wonderful team-mate. I’m supporting him that he’ll find his goalscoring boots again.”
Gnonto, however, says the move to Leeds United was a ‘dream’ for both him and his family. He resorted to social media on Tuesday to honor his 100th appearance with a statement of thanks to supporters and everyone at Elland Road.
“I never dreamt I would play 100 games for this incredible club,” he remarked. “Coming here seemed like a dream for my family and I and having the ability to represent everyone associated to this club is always an honor and a tremendous responsibility.
Thank you to all my team-mates, the supporters and everyone at Leeds United for all the support and affection I’ve got from the first day I came here.
During the season it’s tough to have time to look back and reflect as we concentrate on the games ahead but it’s fantastic to see the memories thus far and I look forward to building many more together.”
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