Willy Gnonto's Leeds United future uncertain amid limited role
Willy Gnonto's long-term future at Leeds United is increasingly uncertain as the Italian winger continues to operate primarily as a substitute this season, according to sources close to the club. The 22-year-old, who joined from FC Zurich for £3.9m in 2022, has two years remaining on his contract but has seen his role diminish following manager Daniel Farke's tactical shift to a 3-5-2 formation.
Gnonto has made 142 appearances for Leeds, contributing 23 goals and 17 assists, but has started only sporadically in the current campaign. With wing-backs providing width in Farke's system, the attacker has been restricted to 772 minutes of action, registering one goal and four assists. Former Leeds defender Dominic Matteo, speaking to TEAMtalk, acknowledged Gnonto's frustration but suggested he remains a valuable impact player. "He’s certainly got the ability, he’s got a lot of pace, and obviously, he’s an Italian international," Matteo said. "When he has had his opportunities, he’s been really, really good."
The situation has led to speculation that Gnonto could be among the players sold this summer as Leeds potentially look to reshape their squad. BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope is among those who believe the player has fallen foul of the club's "attritional" formation, suggesting he is one of four stars struggling for minutes under the new system. Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith previously questioned whether Gnonto possesses the all-round qualities needed to thrive as a regular starter in the Premier League.
Matteo, however, believes Gnonto could see more action if Leeds secure their Premier League status early, allowing Farke to experiment. He also identified an area for improvement, stating, "I think the one thing that he needs to work on is his distribution." The immediate focus remains on Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, where Gnonto is again expected to start on the bench, with Matteo describing him as a potential "secret weapon" from the sidelines.
The broader context points to a summer of decision-making at Elland Road. If Leeds abandon the 3-5-2 setup that has brought success this season, a reversion to Farke's preferred 4-2-3-1 could open a pathway back into the team for a player of Gnonto's profile. Conversely, the club may seek to capitalise on his market value and use the funds to recruit a player more suited to their current tactical approach. For now, Gnonto's role is defined by his impact off the bench, but his future beyond this season appears increasingly unclear.
