Leeds United chiefs admitted their deadline day decision to bring in Wilfried Gnonto came ahead of schedule. Injuries to Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo meant that the Whites were short of options up front, a factor that played a big part in their struggles last season.
But at just 18-years-old, is Gnonto the man to help ease that burden? Jesse Marsch has already suggested he'll need time to settle and adapt to the English game.
Leeds Live spoke with Swiss football expert Craig King for an insight into Gnonto's spell in Switzerland and what Whites' supporters can expect from the Italian youngster.
READ MORE: Leeds United rivals' stadium plans highlight case for Elland Road redevelopment
Gnonto was tipped to break through at Inter Milan but it didn't work out for him, do you know how the move to Zurich came about?
Craig King: "I'm not sure of all the ins and outs of the transfer itself, but this was a real coup for Zurich. At the time, as a 16-year-old, Gnonto had already played at the U17 World Cup and was a regular for the Inter youth sides, so to lose him for nothing (other than a training bonus fee of 200k) was a pretty disappointing blow for Inter as he was so highly-rated.
"I can't imagine the board or the fans being too pleased with how it developed. That being said, it seems Gnonto backed himself with this transfer. His contract was up and he took the opportunity to go elsewhere to develop, sign his first professional contract and, most importantly, play games at a senior level.
"I think a good comparison is Sebastiano Esposito, he is a highly-rated striker that is still on the books of Inter, but has been loaned out to several clubs since Gnonto left in 2020, including another Swiss side FC Basel, and he hasn't really settled or found consistent form at age 20. You could argue that finding somewhere to call home at a senior level, if he's not going to break into the first team of Inter, is an ideal path to go down, much like Gnonto did."
He's still only 18-years-old but has made over 60 appearances in Switzerland, was he immediately thrust into first team action?
CK: "Almost immediately. He joined at a pretty awkward time in the summer of 2020. The 19/20 league season still had a fair few rounds to run due to the pandemic delay and he wasn't featured in any of those, but he broke into the first team pretty soon after the beginning of the 21/22 season. I can't recall many 16-year-olds transferring to Switzerland and playing so quickly like he did.
"Unsurprisingly, it was only cup games against lower-league sides to begin with, but he made his league debut against Vaduz in October 2020, just a month shy of his 17th birthday. He made 29 appearances in that first season, scoring three goals and assisting six as Zurich finished a disappointing eighth.
"He was pretty much a mainstay in the team from that moment on until he would leave at the end of last season. Of course, it was the title-winning season of last year that really helped thrust him into the limelight both in Switzerland and across Europe. To have made such a mark in two seasons at age eighteen is pretty impressive indeed."
What kind of player is he and how did he fare at Zurich?
CK: "He's quick, a very determined individual, good dribbler of the ball and has a decent eye for goal. At age eighteen, he has so much potential at this stage of his career and will only get better.
"He is quite versatile too, he was deployed in quite a few positions at Zurich, including as a centre forward or out wide, but he does like to drift onto the left wing and dribble at the full-back. He also likes to cross the ball in often, both high and low. His low crosses across the face led to quite a few goals in Switzerland.
"His eight goals last season were the best of his career so far and he scored all types during his time at FCZ ranging from volleys from outside of the box and even a couple of headers(!), although he isn't the tallest so I wouldn't expect too many of those. He always seemed to be lurking around the box and in the right positions too and I do believe his goalscoring output will only keep improving.
"He fared very well at Zurich. When you consider that he was signed for nothing and made such an impact, helping them win a league title, before selling him for a strong fee, it was fantastic business from the club.
"His departure seemed inevitable and is a blow that will be felt by the FCZ fans, he had really turned into a favourite player for the club, and again, a huge testament to how he performed at just age eighteen."
He was called up to the Italy squad during his time in Switzerland, it seems quite a surprise looking from the outside in, given the stereotypical reliance on Europe's top leagues. Is that a fair assessment?
CK: "It was surprising. It is hard to recall many instances of a player being called up for one of the major international sides while at a Swiss club. Our domestic leagues have had players like Gianluca Zambrotta, Gennaro Gattuso and now even Mario Balotelli, but they arrive when their careers are nearing their end.
"While I think Gnonto's call-up was richly deserved, I don't think it would've happened had Italy not been eliminated from the World Cup playoffs. It seemed that Roberto Mancini's hand was forced to try something different after that disaster and it allowed a player like Wilfried Gnonto the opportunity.
"Of course, he took it with both hands, and I don't think it'll be too long before he is featured again."
How do you think he'll fare at Leeds United?
CK: "I tend to have mixed emotions whenever someone moves to the Premier League, whether that be a Swiss player or, in Gnonto's case, a player that has made his name in our leagues. On one hand, I'm delighted for them, they have earned the move and have the chance to show the abilities we have watched them showcase on the highest-viewed league in the world.
"On the other hand, the Premier League has a tendency to chew players up and spit them back out again if they don't perform almost immediately. It can be a cutthroat league, especially with the sides battling relegation, and that is a concern for me. Andi Zeqiri is a recent example at Brighton, he never really was given the chance and is back in Switzerland, but I still believe he has bags of potential.
"That being said, I gain comfort in knowing that he will be under the management of Jesse Marsch. I think Marsch knows exactly what he is doing, the sort of player he is bringing in, will utilise him properly and give him multiple chances to succeed.
"Of course, he will still need to make his mark early as Leeds can afford no passengers in their attempts to stay in the league, but I have no doubt he can do that. I think he'll give the team a different attacking option and will thrive overall. I'm excited to see what he can accomplish in this team and with the way Marsch wants football to be played."
READ NEXT:
Leeds United enter critical contract window on 11 deals with three clear priorities for Victor Orta
Agent details Leeds United interest in 'highest standard' 21-year-old Serie A defender
Leeds United transfer rumours as Dieng snubs another club and next opponents secure signing
BBC Radio 1 doubles down on Leeds United praise as second chant features on Greg James' show
Leeds United Premier League prediction made after Jesse Marsch's summer rebuild
