Willy Gnonto’s journey at Leeds United has been a blend of personal growth, resilience, and ambition, and as he heads into the 2024/2025 season, it’s clear that he’s entering a pivotal moment in his career. At just 21 years old, the Italian winger is already seen as one of the club’s most exciting prospects, and his story at Leeds has been nothing short of intriguing. From arriving at the club with promise to battling through difficult spells, Gnonto has emerged as a player with great potential. Despite experiencing some turbulence, he has shown a level of maturity beyond his years and a determination to succeed. The coming season presents him with another opportunity to prove that he belongs at the highest level, and the pre-season so far has given fans a glimpse of what he’s capable of when fully focused and committed.

Gnonto’s impact at Leeds was felt almost immediately after his arrival. During the 2022/2023 Championship season, he was one of the key figures in the team’s promotion bid. His dazzling performances on the left wing earned him recognition, not only from the club but also from fans and pundits alike. His end-of-season tally of nine goals and six assists was a testament to his skill, and it was clear that he had the potential to become a star at Elland Road. However, even with his impressive statistics, his time at Leeds has not been without challenges. Midway through the previous season, Gnonto found himself out of favor with then-manager Javi Gracia. This sudden dip in his standing in the squad was a setback for the young forward, but instead of letting it define his season, he showed resilience and worked tirelessly to earn back his place in the starting lineup. That determination and hunger to prove himself became an important part of his story, and by the end of the campaign, he had reasserted himself as one of the club’s most talented attacking players.

As pre-season begins, Gnonto is now facing a fresh set of challenges. Despite being one of the key players in Leeds’ promotion, he faces fierce competition for a place in Daniel Farke’s side. With the club’s squad depth improved over the summer, Gnonto now finds himself vying for a position with players like Dan James, Largie Ramazani, and Jack Harrison, all of whom possess their own qualities and will be pushing for starting spots. The competition for places is fierce, but it’s a challenge that Gnonto seems eager to embrace. His attitude and willingness to fight for his place will be critical in determining his role in Farke’s team next season.

One of the most important aspects of Gnonto’s game is his versatility. Though he primarily operates as a left-winger, his ability to cut inside and use both feet makes him a dangerous player in one-v-one situations. His pace, dribbling ability, and creativity in the final third are qualities that can set him apart from his competitors. In a tactical system that emphasizes dynamic and fluid attacking play, Gnonto’s style should suit him well, especially with the increased space he could find in the Premier League. Last season, Leeds often found themselves playing against teams that sat deep and defended in low blocks, and while Gnonto did his best to make an impact, the limited space made it harder for him to showcase his abilities. The Premier League, on the other hand, will offer him a different type of challenge, with more open spaces and teams that tend to press higher up the pitch. For Gnonto, this could be the perfect environment to exploit his natural strengths, particularly in transition moments where he can use his speed and dribbling to wreak havoc in opposition defenses.

Gnonto’s experience in the Premier League last season was a valuable learning opportunity. Despite his young age, he was able to experience the pace and intensity of England’s top flight. Though he didn’t play as much as he might have hoped, the games he featured in showed flashes of his potential. This season, he returns with more experience, more confidence, and a better understanding of what’s required to thrive in the Premier League. In a recent interview with The Athletic, Gnonto reflected on his journey so far, acknowledging that while he was always confident in his ability to play at this level, the experiences he’s had over the past few years have helped him mature as a player. He admitted that he was a bit naive in his first taste of Premier League football, but now, with a greater sense of self-belief, he’s eager to show that he can be a consistent performer in the league. “I know I can be there and I want to show everyone,” Gnonto said, a statement that underlines his ambition to not only succeed but to excel.

While his technical qualities and flair on the ball are undoubtedly his most obvious strengths, it’s also clear that Gnonto has grown mentally and emotionally over the past year. His resilience in the face of adversity has been a key theme in his development, and it’s something that will serve him well in the future. A perfect example of this came after his disappointing performances with Italy’s U-21s during the European Championship in Slovakia, where he was sent off and received heavy criticism from the national media. Rather than allowing the negativity to affect his confidence, Gnonto used it as motivation to improve and push himself even harder. This mentality has been central to his growth, and it’s this determination that could make him a vital player for Leeds in the coming season.

An amusing but telling moment in pre-season training further underscored Gnonto’s need to continue developing his professionalism, which will be essential if he wants to remain a fixture in the first team. During one session, Daniel Farke had to step in and confiscate a gold necklace from Gnonto, who had forgotten to remove it before training. It’s a small incident, but it serves as a reminder that even the most talented players must adhere to the standards set by their manager and the club. Farke’s response—passing the necklace to first-team operations manager Matt Robertshaw with a comment about it being a gift for his wife—was a humorous moment that highlighted the importance of discipline in the professional environment. For Gnonto, the lesson here is clear: talent alone won’t secure him a place in the team; it’s about maintaining the highest level of professionalism both on and off the pitch.

Looking ahead to the 2024/2025 season, Gnonto is at a crossroads in his career. If Leeds can retain him and he stays injury-free, the upcoming campaign could be his breakout season in the Premier League. However, he is not guaranteed a spot in the first team, especially with speculation swirling around potential departures from the club, including links to Pascal Struijk and even Gnonto himself. If Leeds are to sell players to ease their financial burden, Gnonto could be one of the names that clubs target, but it seems likely that the young forward will want to stay and continue his development at Leeds. His determination to prove himself means that he is unlikely to settle for a secondary role, and that hunger could drive him to achieve great things for the club.

In summary, Willy Gnonto’s future at Leeds United is filled with promise, but he must continue to prove his worth. The coming season will be a true test of his abilities and character, as he battles for a starting spot in a highly competitive squad. If he can continue to refine his game, stay disciplined, and perform consistently, there’s no doubt that he could become one of the standout players of Leeds’ Premier League campaign. His skill set is well-suited to the demands of the top flight, and his mentality suggests he’s ready to take on whatever challenges come his way. With a combination of talent, work ethic, and determination, Willy Gnonto has the potential to be a real game-changer for Leeds United this season. The stage is set for him to make a lasting impact, and it will be exciting to watch how his story unfolds over the next year.