Wilfried Gnonto has the temperament and the talent to go right to the top, according to Leeds legend Tony Dorigo.
The Italy star goes into Sunday's visit of Brentford in sensational form following his arrival last summer from Swiss side FC Zurich for just £3.8million.
The 19-year-old forward scored twice in Wednesday’s FA Cup third-round replay 5-2 win over Cardiff – with his Paolo Di Canio-style volley opening the scoring after just 26 seconds.
Dorigo, a key member of Leeds’ First Division title-winning side in 1991/92, said: “Leeds have got themselves one hell of a bargain because this kid has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water.
“He’s been a revelation and is like a little bull who won’t give up and will just keep coming back at you. He’s so positive and that’s fine, but, my goodness, he’s got some ability to go with that.
“His clarity of pass and decision-making at such a young stage is mightily impressive. He just wants the ball in any sort of area and is a fantastic outlet. What’s exciting is how much more he will develop because there’s no doubt that he will get better.
“Yes, there’s bound to be a plateau and some setbacks at some point – and it’s how he responds to that – but so far he’s taken everything in his stride.
“He’s got a bit of an edge to him as well, which I like, and while he’s got to control that, you don’t want to lose it, either. Willy strikes me as someone who would be just as happy playing in the park as he would in front of 70,000 people.”
Gnonto was not supposed to sign for Leeds until this month, but a failed move for Cody Gakpo saw them sign the teenager on deadline day last September.
The son of Ivory Coast parents and a product of Inter Milan’s academy, Gnonto spent eight years at the San Siro before moving to Zurich in 2020.
Dorigo commentates on Jesse Marsch’s side home and away and remains a popular figure behind the scenes at Elland Road. The former left-back added: “Willy always has a smile on his face and comes up to the Norman Hunter Suite, where I speak after home games, to collect man-of-the-match awards most weeks.
“It’s quite amazing what he’s doing at such a young age and he must be worth so much more than what Leeds paid for him. He had the strength of character to leave Inter Milan for Switzerland when his career wasn’t progressing as quickly as he wanted it to.”
Gnonto speaks Italian, French, German and English and has been conversing with new club-record £35million signing Georginio Rutter in French this week.
Dorigo added: “Willy is a clever guy, but, more importantly, he’s deeply grounded and has fitted in at Leeds superbly. Did I think he would be this good this soon? Absolutely not.
“But in the last few weeks he has been Leeds’ star performer – and in a pressurised situation as well. It’s remarkable for someone so young.”
