When a certain dynamic attacker first arrived at Elland Road, the consensus from manager at the time Jesse Marsch, was that he wasn’t quite “Premier League ready.”
Leeds are facing a tough but exciting return to the Premier League, with their survival chances already being rated by Simon Jordan.
Daniel Farke’s preparations are well underway with him apparently taking inspiration from Marcelo Bielsa ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The journey since then has been far from straightforward, featuring a rapid ascent, a challenging blip, and ultimately, a powerful resurgence.
Now, as Leeds United prepare for a highly anticipated season back in the top flight, this particular player stands on the cusp of truly silencing those doubts and proving his readiness on the biggest stage.
Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty ImagesFrom Deadline Day doubt to momentous impact
Wilfried Gnonto arrived as an 18-year-old on deadline day at the start of September (2022/23), having been written off, even before he’d moved from Swiss side Zurich, by Leeds’ head coach at the time Jesse Marsch as a long-term project.
Asked in the August if Gnonto was Premier League-ready, the Athletic reported the American said, “No, but we know who he is. With him, it’d be more of a long-term project.”
Gnonto recently said: “I saw Jesse’s words. I always thought I could make an impact in the Premier League. Maybe I was a bit young and I didn’t really understand what was going on, but at that point, I felt like I could play there, and I proved to myself I could do it.”
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“It’s nice to be back. I probably have something else to prove because I want to prove myself again, that I can be there. I know I can be there and I want to show everyone. It’s going to be fun.”
Despite Marsch’s lack of faith, Gnonto quickly became a key figure for Leeds. After November that season, he started 14 out of 15 games across all competitions through February, showcasing his talent.
During this impressive run, he scored four goals in just seven appearances, famously including a first-minute strike against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Now, three seasons later, a still-only 21-year-old Gnonto is poised to be a crucial difference-maker as Leeds United embark on their return to the Premier League.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesWilfried Gnonto’s continued upward trajectory
Since Jesse Marsch’s departure, Wilfried Gnonto has largely continued his upward trajectory at Leeds United, showcasing impressive development.
While there was a notable blip in the summer of 2023 when he attempted to force a move away from the club amid Premier League interest, including from Everton, Gnonto ultimately stayed at Elland Road. He later apologised for his actions and has since built on his performances.
Wilfried Gnonto’s all time Leeds United statistics, via transfermarkt.
In the 2023/2024 Championship season, Gnonto made 36 appearances, scoring 8 goals and providing 2 assists. He continued to be a significant player in the 2024/2025 Championship season as well, achieving 9 goals and 6 assists in 43 appearances.
Gnonto ‘dazzled’ during Leeds’ pre-season Manchester United friendly, but there was one Gnonto incident that left Daniel Farke in despair during their time in Germany.
Overall, his consistent output, especially after overcoming the transfer saga, highlights his commitment and continued growth as a key player for Leeds.