Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has responded to a positive off-field Elland Road report on one particular player.
Leeds’ Championship Form
Under Daniel Farke, the Whites have performed admirably in the Championship, winning all five league games in 2024 while conceding only once.
The most recent second-tier victory came on Friday evening against Bristol City, with Wilfried Gnonto netting the only goal of the game in the second half. Farke commended Gnonto after the match, stating, “I was hoping for this. I’m glad and delighted for him. He has been there in recent weeks, doing fantastic job. A goal or assist was missing, and now he’s there with a critical goal, I’m overjoyed.”
Leeds are presently one point ahead of Ipswich Town in the league rankings, with Southampton in second place with a game in hand. Away from the pitch, the Whites have been working behind the scenes to extend the contracts of two highly-rated young players, Archie Gray and Mateo Joseph, and Gnonto might be the next to sign a new term.
Wilfried Gnonto Contract Update
Last month, Phil Hay provided an update on Gnonto’s future, stating that the club was looking to reach an agreement with the forward, with a new contract believed to be imminent.
Robinson, who contributes to Sky Sports, described the update as a “really good sign coming out of the club”. Speaking with MOT Leeds News, the pundit stated: “It’s a pretty good sign coming out of the club. It’s difficult to keep players happy when they’re not playing, and Willy Gnonto hasn’t started every game this season.
“He’s been a bit-part player at best, starting a few games and coming and going from the squad. However, this is what large and good teams do.
“You compare that to Manchester City in the Premier League, and how they rotate their players. Players understand and appreciate that in a solid, powerful group that plays a lot of games, they are not guaranteed to start every game.
“With a new manager coming in his relationship with him must be good if what we’re hearing, that he’s going to sign a new contract, is right.”
Gnonto appears to be finding his footing under Farke, seizing his moment following the injury of teammate Dan James last month.
He was the match-winner in the Championship last time out, making only his second league start since October, and after a transfer request saga in the summer that saw him refuse to play in a number of games, Farke appears to be gradually getting the best out of the Italy international, which could prove useful in the run-in.
