Leeds United summer signing Wilfried Gnonto played 27 minutes as Italy defeated England at the San Siro on Friday. Gli Azzuri condemned the Three Lions to three straight defeats for the first time in eight years and relegated them from their UEFA Nations League group.
Italy’s Giacomo Raspadori smashed the decisive strike beyond Nick Pope within five minutes of Gnonto coming off the bench for Gianluca Scamacca. Gnonto has made quite an impression during the infant stages of his international career.
He became Italy’s youngest ever goal scorer in June’s 5-2 defeat in Germany and earned his fifth senior cap against England. The 18-year-old was signed late on transfer deadline day from FC Zurich, while Daniel James headed out of the exit door on a season-long loan to Fulham.
Although Gnonto has played just 81 minutes for the U21s, his cameo from the bench has generated a fair amount of optimism among Leeds supporters on social media.
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@WellsCharlie9 Gnonto is better than Dan James already. That disastrous end to the transfer window might actually have worked out better than expected.
@LeightC1975 An upgrade on Dan James for me.
@ChicagoWhie My first impressions of Willy technically better than Dan James and much smarter with the ball.
@Crooksyy45 Gnonto is a baller.
@DrT1974 As a Leeds fan I thought Willy Gnonto looked good when he came on.
@loureillyxo Gnonto looks sharp enough! Hope Marsch is watching!
@ItalyProp I love his energy. He has provided a spark every time he has played for the senior team. He fights for every ball, he doesn’t complain and he is very mature for his age. One of the most likable players in the squad.
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