🟡⚪ Wilfried Gnonto Is Back — And He Might Be the Answer Leeds United Have Been Looking For
Leeds United’s pre-season is officially underway, and their first test — a showdown against Premier League giants Manchester United at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm — offered fans a real glimpse of what’s to come in 2025/26.
The game ended without much fanfare in terms of result, but what mattered more was how the squad looked, how new signings settled in, and — perhaps most significantly — how returning players stepped up after last season’s heartbreak. And among the biggest talking points from the match was Wilfried Gnonto.
After a difficult and often frustrating Championship campaign, the Italian international appeared reborn against Reuben Amorim’s side. Electric on the right wing, sharp in possession, and confident in his movement, Gnonto drew praise from fans, pundits, and teammates alike.
Now, as Leeds prepare for their return to the Premier League, the conversation around Gnonto is shifting. Can he finally become a regular starter? Can he fill the void left by Manor Solomon on the right-hand side of the attack? And more broadly, can he become a key figure in Daniel Farke’s tactical setup — not just a squad player, but a match-winner?
Let’s break it all down.
💫 A Glimpse of the “Old” Gnonto
For long-time Leeds supporters, Gnonto’s breakout in 2022/23 still lives vividly in the memory. Signed from FC Zürich, he arrived as an unknown quantity and quickly became a fan favorite with his fearless dribbling, low centre of gravity, and a tendency to take on Premier League defenders with the kind of arrogance you only get from top-tier talents.
But last season in the Championship was a different story. Injuries, transfer speculation, and positional uncertainty meant Gnonto never fully got going. Despite making 43 appearances, he started only 26 matches, and often seemed stifled — either by deep-lying defensive blocks or a system that didn’t fully accommodate his natural instincts.
Fast forward to July 2025, and things suddenly feel very different.
Against Manchester United, Gnonto looked quick, confident, and free. Playing on the right wing — a role vacated by Manor Solomon’s departure — he was able to isolate defenders, cut inside with purpose, and link fluidly with midfielders and overlapping full-backs. Fans immediately noticed.
“Old Gnonto was back,” one supporter posted after the match.
“He looked lively, aggressive — like he had a point to prove.”
“I forgot how good he is when he’s allowed to run at people.”
“Massive season coming if he stays fit and focused.”
The consensus was clear: Gnonto is hungry, sharp, and ready to reclaim his place.
🔄 Replacing Manor Solomon — Different Style, Same Impact?
Let’s be clear: Wilfried Gnonto and Manor Solomon are very different players. Solomon, who joined Leeds on loan from Spurs last season, is more of a technical operator. He likes to drop into pockets, pick up the ball in tight spaces, link play in the half-spaces, and take defenders on with close control rather than pace. His playstyle suited Leeds when they wanted to slow the tempo, dominate possession, and work through low blocks.
Gnonto offers something else entirely. He thrives in high-tempo, chaotic environments. He loves direct play. He pushes defenders back with his running and forces full-backs into uncomfortable one-on-one duels. This is the kind of energy Daniel Farke could weaponize — especially now that Leeds are back in the Premier League, where teams are less likely to sit in low blocks and more inclined to play expansively.
And that’s exactly where Gnonto comes alive.
He may not be a like-for-like replacement for Solomon in style, but he absolutely could replicate and even exceed Solomon’s impact — especially in games that require speed, counter-attacking threat, and width. In fact, the right-hand side might finally give Gnonto a platform to express himself without being doubled up by defenders, as so often happened when he played on the left.
📊 Breaking Down the Numbers
Gnonto’s 2024/25 season was inconsistent on the surface, but a deeper look at the data reveals a player who was still effective — even when out of form:
43 total appearances (26 starts)
4 goals, 6 assists in all competitions
1.6 successful dribbles per 90
1.4 chances created per 90
2.2 fouls won per match, many in advanced areas
These numbers might not scream superstar, but they suggest a player who was still drawing attention from defenders, still committing players, and still offering dangerous moments — all while playing within a team battling for promotion and dealing with the physical grind of the Championship.
Imagine what he could do with:
More open games,
A more balanced midfield behind him,
A full pre-season under Farke,
And the Premier League platform to thrive.
💷 Financial Factors — The £150 Million Dilemma
One major subplot to all of this is Leeds United’s summer budget. It’s been widely reported that the club has around £150 million to spend this transfer window. Sounds like a lot — but Premier League reinforcements don’t come cheap.
So far, Leeds have signed five new players:
Lukas Nmecha (striker)
Jaka Bijol (defender)
Sebastiaan Bornauw (defender)
Gabriel Gudmundsson (left-back/midfield)
Sean Longstaff (midfielder)
That spending already accounts for approximately £80 million, depending on performance-based clauses and fees.
And Leeds are still targeting:
A top-class goalkeeper
Potentially another striker
And crucially, another winger — with Igor Paixao of Feyenoord the top target
But Paixao would likely cost around £26 million, and while he’s undoubtedly talented, he’s still unproven in the Premier League.
So here’s the key question:
Why spend £26 million on a winger when you already have Wilfried Gnonto?
If Farke trusts Gnonto — and his pre-season performance suggests he might — that money could be better spent elsewhere. In a summer where smart squad-building will define survival and growth, using internal solutions like Gnonto could be the difference between a good window and a great one.
🧠 Gnonto in Farke’s System — A Perfect Fit?
Daniel Farke’s tactical philosophy revolves around:
Possession-based control
Vertical passing lanes
Intelligent positioning
Aggressive pressing in midfield
For wide players, the demands are clear: hold width, stretch the pitch, but also make intelligent inside runs and contribute defensively. Gnonto is tailor-made for this hybrid role. He may lack the defensive discipline of someone like Dan James (who’s locked down the left wing with a new long-term contract), but what he brings offensively is arguably unmatched within the current squad.
In transition, he’s lethal. In one-on-one situations, he can beat almost any full-back. And now, with stronger central midfield options (Longstaff, Gray, Ampadu), he won’t need to drop as deep or do as much covering.
🔮 The Road Ahead — A Career-Defining Season?
Wilfried Gnonto’s future at Leeds has often been clouded by speculation. Interest from Serie A clubs, transfer links, public frustrations — all of it created tension. But now, with a full pre-season behind him and the Premier League stage awaiting, he has the opportunity to define his Leeds United legacy.
If he can stay fit, remain focused, and earn Daniel Farke’s trust, he could become one of the most exciting wingers outside the top six. There’s no denying his talent. It’s always been there. The question was never “if,” but “when.”
And judging by his display against Manchester United, that time might be now.
✅ Final Verdict: Is Gnonto the Solution on the Right Wing?
All signs point to yes.
Whether or not Leeds go all-in on Igor Paixao, Farke would be wise to bet on a player already in his squad — one who knows the system, the club, and the fans. Gnonto offers a rare blend of pace, unpredictability, and flair. His ceiling is high, his motivation is clear, and his time to shine may have finally arrived.
Manor Solomon may have left Elland Road. But Wilfried Gnonto might just be the one to take his place — and take Leeds to the next level.