Gary Neville was left waxing lyrical about Leeds United youngster Wilfried Gnonto after his impressive display against Aston Villa. The Whites were on the wrong side of a 2-1 defeat, but the Italian is quickly establishing himself as one of the brightest prospects in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old grabbed the assist for Patrick Bamford's goal on the 83 minutes, showing real quality to drive forward from deep. Former Manchester United defender Neville, who knows a thing or two about coming up against a good winger, heaped praise on Gnonto for his performance against the experienced Ashley Young.
On Sky Sports, Neville said: "(On) that far side Gnonto looks absolutely fantastic. Watching him here live for the first time, knowing what a good left winger looks like, he knows the position, the movement to get on the ball, the body shape to receive the ball, it’s absolutely fantastic, and he’s tenacious as well.
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"That’s what you want in your players. He’s look, come on, Ashley Young is just booting the hell out of me, it’s twice now, but that’s what I would do as an experience full-back that’s playing against a 19-year-old winger that’s looking as good as he looks."
Gnonto showed his quality for Bamford's goal, spinning two Aston Villa defenders before setting up the Leeds' striker to half the deficit. Neville waxed lyrical about the young Italian on commentary.
He said: "Gnonto you little beauty you are. Ashley Young is wise but he gets done by the youngster, holds his body, uses his strength, and then they get back at him but he rolls him [Sanson], rolls him [Konsa], and then the best bit, the composure, the class at the end, that final part that so many young players don’t get right.
"This is really, really special. I said before I’ve not seen a young player know their position and be as composed as this for a long time. Really, really good, Leeds are in business."
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