Here are your Leeds United morning headlines on Thursday, March 2.
Roberto Mancini hails 'quality' Wilfried Gnonto
Italy manager Roberto Mancini has claimed that other young players should follow Wilfried Gnonto's example and move abroad in search of game time.
At just 19-years-old, Gnonto has quickly shown how dangerous he can be since his arrival at Elland Road in the summer. Looking to take defenders on at will, Javi Gracia knows that getting the best out of his young Italian star will be vital in their battle against relegation.
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And now Gnonto, who has already played eight times for his national side, has been backed by Mancini to feature again for the Azzurri as he praised the risk that the forward took in moving abroad at such a young age.
“Maybe. Gnonto is a young boy,” he told TuttoMercatoWeb when asked if Gnonto will get the chance to add to his existing Italy caps. “No one has thought of signing him, but he plays as a starter in the Premier League and that’s not a given at 19.
"He can still improve, and he’s young. He has quality. I hope other young players can follow his example and go abroad to play. If they’re good, then they play.”
Javi Gracia's Chelsea press conference agenda
Javi Gracia faces the media on Thursday afternoon for his pre-match press conference. The Leeds United head coach will take questions from television, radio, print and online journalists at Thorp Arch ahead of the Chelsea clash on Saturday.
Here is a run-down of some of the main topics on the agenda for the boss to address at the training ground today.
Tuesday's absentees
There were seven senior faces absent from Tuesday’s Leeds squad at Fulham in the FA Cup. While the new head coach may be slowly trying to break the will of the journalists asking for medical updates with his sheepish straight bats, the questions will keep coming.
Tyler Adams confident Georginio Rutter has the 'quality to succeed' at Leeds United
Tyler Adams insists club record signing Georginio Rutter has the 'quality to succeed' at Leeds United. The Frenchman, who arrived from Hoffenheim in January, has made all five of his Premier League appearances from the bench.
His only two starts for the Whites have come in the FA Cup, and the 20-year-old thought he'd scored his maiden goal when he pounced on a rebound in the first half of Leeds' 2-0 defeat at Fulham on Tuesday.
Weston McKennie's goal bound header was parried by Marek Rodak and Rutter was on hand to tap-in from close range. However, he was denied his first goal for Leeds when the linesman flagged for a push from McKennie on Fulham winger Harry Wilson.
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