FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Leeds United v Leicester City - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - April 25, 2023 General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
Wilfried Gnonto was spotted on his phone during Italy Under-21s’ match against San Marino on Thursday 5 September as he replied to a text from Leeds United.
The 20-year-old winger was substituted at half-time during a 7-0 romping of San Marino, having yelped in pain under a strong challenge in the first 45 minutes, with the club worried about a potential injury.
Gnonto faced heavy criticism for his actions on the bench, though the side’s team coordinator Maurizio Viscidi jumped to the youngster’s defence following the incident.
Speaking to Raisport, quoted by Tutto Mercato Web on Saturday (7 September), Viscidi said: “Willy was substituted at half-time because we were ahead and he was cautioned, and he was too important for Norway.
“On his way back from the locker room to the pitch, he received a message from his alarmed club wondering why such a game had been replaced. At the time he certainly couldn’t send the message along the way, from the locker room to the bench there are several meters.
“Arriving on the bench, he wanted to reassure his club that the substitution was a substitution so as not to risk disqualification. The timing may have been wrong, perhaps yes, but at the same time it is an act of respect for the club to reassure them.”
Leeds United suffer Wilfried Gnonto scare during international break
A long-term injury to Gnonto could be hugely concerning for Leeds, who are attempting to secure promotion to the Premier League, so it is no wonder why the club were keen to get in contact.
Following the departures of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, the Italian winger is now Daniel Farke’s main threat in front of goal. Leeds’ promotion hopes would be hugely dented by an injury to him.
Luckily, it sounds as if Leeds have little to nothing to worry about when it comes to Gnonto, who will likely be playing nearly every game for the Whites this season, especially in the Championship.
He already has one goal to his name, scoring during the 3-3 draw with Portsmouth in the opening game of the new campaign, and it will need to be the first of many for Leeds.
Young players are bound to make mistakes, and the job of a senior figure such as Viscidi is to protect them from criticism at such an early age. Gnonto has nothing to apologise for, and Leeds will certainly agree.
