Willy Gnonto reveals plan to make amends to Leeds fans after demanding move
Willy Gnonto was dropped by Daniel Farke when he handed in a transfer request last August and has vowed to Leeds fans to atone for his mistake by winning promotion
Willy Gnonto wants to win Leeds promotion back to the Premier League to repay the fans for demanding a move last summer.
Gnonto admits he was wrong to hand in a transfer request last August in an attempt to force through a transfer to Everton because he did not want to play in the Championship. Boss Daniel Farke left the striker out before the Italian climbed down and pledged his future to Leeds.
Gnonto scored on his return at Ipswich at the end of that month and says he has learnt from his mistake. “Yes, I can say so,” he said. “This was the first time in my career where I found myself in this type of situation.
“There have been many mistakes in this period. I’m not only speaking for myself, but different people were involved. Looking back now, it was a moment when I had the chance to grow up as a player and as a man.
“Now I feel like everything is sorted and hopefully we can go up and start a new season. I feel like everyone in this club deserves it. The players deserve it for the work they’ve put in, the staff, the club, everyone, the fans as well. Hopefully we can do it for them.”
Gnonto, 20, says his relationship with the Leeds fans is like a love affair and he feels they are on a high after that low. He has become a fans’ favourite after scoring nine goals and contributing three assists to propel Leeds to tomorrow’s Championship play-off Final against Southampton at Wembley.
“In a relationship of love, there are many ups and downs,” he said. “I look at that period as a bit of a down. But from that point, I’ve worked really hard to get into the situation I’m in now and I think the fans can see that. I’ve been working hard in training and games as well. I’m getting what I deserve.”
Gnonto dropped down to Italy’s Under-21s this season after winning 13 caps for the senior side Former Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini was his mentor and he became Italy’s youngest scorer when he netted against Germany in June 2022 aged just 18 years and 222 days. He knows playing Premier League football again will help him back into Luciano Spalletti’s senior squad.
“That’s my biggest goal with the national team,” he said. “This is a player’s biggest dream and I know that going back to the Premier League will help me. I just have to enjoy the final on Sunday, try to win and see what’s going to happen.
“I know how big this game is for the club, but more for the fans because Leeds is a city with one club. This club must go back to the Premier League. I don’t think about it being the richest game or anything like that. I just want to play in the Premier League next season.”
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