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Jermain Defoe lays down challenge for Leeds United 'matchwinner', thinks he can do a whole lot more

There are question marks alongside most of this Leeds United squad and whether they are capable of performing in the Premier League, after The Whites secured promotion.

Leeds have three goalkeepers but want a new shot-stopper. Illan Meslier, Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns are not deemed good enough for the Premier League. Jaka Bijol is signing to bolster options at centre-back.

Junior Firpo might have been kept, but he is off to Betis because of his previous Premier League form. Dan James and Joel Piroe scored plenty in the Championship, but can they do it in the Premier League?

Plenty of these Leeds players have to prove whether they can shine in the top flight and one of those is Willy Gnonto. A player that starred initially in the top flight, only to struggle since Daniel Farke arrived.

SOCGermany vs Italy

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Jermain Defoe delivers verdict on Leeds player Willy Gnonto

Given he is a fully-fledged Italy international and a player who starred for Leeds in the Premier League – scoring goals against Man United and West Ham – Gnonto failed to do it regularly in the Championship.

Certainly, Gnonto is struggling on the international scene. But speaking ahead of Italy’s Euro U21 exit in Slovakia on Sunday night, Jermain Defoe gave his verdict on the Leeds gem before defeat to Germany.

Defoe told Channel 4 that Gnonto is capable of scoring more goals in front of goal: “Definitely a handful. He’s a matchwinner, smart, strong. Willing runner, scored goals. Someone I believe can score more goals.”

Shortly after Defoe’s comments, Gnonto was typically sent off as Italy were knocked out of the U21 Euros by Germany. Italian media have hammered Gnonto for being “naive” and “ruining everything” on Sunday.

Italy U21 Training Session

Photo by Luca Bizzarri – FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images

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Willy Gnonto has perfect opportunity to prove doubters wrong

Manor Solomon has told Tottenham he wants a second chance at Spurs and Thomas Frank wants to take a look at Solomon before making a decision. A fee of £30m-£40m might be required to sign the winger.

But with Solomon likely to remain in London, Leeds are now reduced to just James, Gnonto and £10m man Largie Ramazani. It leaves a void on the left flank and Gnonto can take full advantage next season.

That is of course, if Leeds do not end up signing Solomon or a replacement. Gnonto now has pre-season to show Farke and Leeds that they already have the ideal replacement, and heed Defoe’s comments.

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