“Good grief…” – Don Goodman criticises Leeds United star amid West Ham transfer links
During the summer, there were rumors that the winger would be leaving Elland Road, and Everton’s offer of £25 million was turned down by the Whites.
According to reports, West Ham is now predicted to prevail in the competition to sign the winger this month.
While Gnonto had a strong Premier League debut season for the Yorkshire team last year, he has declined in Daniel Farke’s rankings in the Championship.
Out of the 27 games played so far this season, the Italian has only made seven starts in the league and has made 14 appearances from the bench.
Goodman criticises Gnonto
Gnonto’s conduct off the field is a matter of concern for Goodman, who feels that he has not handled the situation effectively about his future.
Everton may have avoided a major setback by holding off on signing the forward last summer, according to the EFL pundit, who was strongly linked to a transfer.
“It’s a funny one really,” said Goodman, via MOT Leeds News.
“It was obviously very unsavoury with the way he handled everything last summer when going on strike.
“I mean, good grief – that’s the worst.
“That will put other football clubs, other managers, off purchasing you.
“I understand he’s young and naive, and he was ill-advised by his agent.
“His agent clearly should not have let that situation unfold.
“Now we find that Willy Gnonto is not a regular starter.
“He comes off the bench a lot, but he has aspirations of playing at the Euros with Italy in the summer.
“You can’t do that if you’re not getting game time, especially when you’re not getting game time in the second tier of English football – it’s as simple as that.
“Again, from his personal perspective, he needs to be playing football. ‘
“But the biggest thing of all is that he hasn’t played well enough to be a regular in the Leeds team.
“So you’ve got to question whether Everton have had a lucky escape by not paying all that money in the summer.
“Or is it that he’s just not found any rhythm because he’s not been playing regularly?”
Leeds United league position
| Championship Table (As it stands January 15th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Leicester City | 27 | 34 | 65 |
| 2 | Ipswich Town | 27 | 16 | 58 |
| 3 | Southampton | 27 | 19 | 55 |
| 4 | Leeds United | 27 | 23 | 51 |
| 5 | West Brom | 27 | 15 | 45 |
| 6 | Coventry City | 27 | 12 | 40 |
| 7 | Sunderland | 27 | 7 | 40 |
| 8 | Watford | 27 | 7 | 39 |
Leeds is currently seven points outside of the automatic promotion spots in the Championship table, sitting in fourth place.
This month, Leeds lacks full-backs, but they may already have an answer at Luton Town.
After being demoted from the top division last year, the Whites will be looking to return to the Premier League as soon as possible.
The next match for Farke’s team is scheduled for January 21 at home against Preston North End.
Could be time to cash in on Gnonto
It was a wise move to battle for Gnonto’s retention last summer, since his Premier League performances suggested he was a very talented player.
He is already drawing unwanted attention off the field, though, as he has struggled with form in the Championship.
Leeds might consider moving on and cashing in on the forward if a significant enough offer comes in January.
Although his talent is undeniable, considering the amount of interest in him, he is starting to become more of a problem than a value.
