Jermain Defoe has been left wowed by ‘the power’ displayed by Wilfried Gnonto during Leeds United’s stunning 4-3 win over Bournemouth on Saturday at Elland Road, as he told Premier League Productions (05/11/22 at 5:15 pm).
The former Premier League striker praised the Leeds 19-year-old for the manner in which he carried the ball forward, then composed himself, before playing a brilliantly-weighted through ball for Crysencio Summerville to score yet another winning goal.
Ever since Leeds paid £4 million for the forward (Daily Mail) this summer, there has been a sense of excitement as to what he can bring to the table.
Leeds fans have seen him in action for Italy more than their own team of late, but last week, as Jesse Marsch’s side ended Liverpool’s 30-game Anfield run in the Premier League, they got a spark of his magic.
Well, against Bournemouth, who were leading 3-1 after 48 minutes at Elland Road yesterday, he turned it on in a special fashion.
Two highly-rated youngsters – Summerville and Gnonto – combined for the all-important winner, and Defoe was impressed.
“How many times have we seen this from Leeds,” said Defoe on their counter-attack winning goal. “The power here to run through the middle of the pitch, get your team up the pitch and then to create something at the end of it. “
TIME FOR GNONTO TO START?
At half-time, Leeds were 2-1 behind to the Cherries and looking like they were going to concede every time the opposition went forward.
Jack Harrison was hauled off by his manager at the break, which introduced Gnonto into the action.
There are two more games before the 2022 World Cup – the Whites are on the road for both matches and it’s time their new superstar is handed a chance.
Next Wednesday night, Leeds travel to Wolves for the third round of the League Cup, where you suspect many teams will be making several changes and then it’s a clash against Tottenham in the Premier League.