SportwitnessSport Witness
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto believes he grew as a man at Elland Road, something he’s looking to build on at Fiorentina.
The forward is spending the season on loan with the Italian club from Leeds after falling out of favour under Daniel Farke last season.
The 22-year-old found himself further down the pecking order this season too thanks to the arrivals of Jean-Mattéo Bahoya and Harry Wilson.
He is now looking to kick on and prove a point at Fiorentina, who have grand plans to re-assert themselves in Serie A following a season fighting relegation.
Optimism for the future
Gnonto is certainly optimistic about the transfer. In fact, he thinks he can improve in everything, after growing off the pitch at Leeds.
“Here I can improve in everything, in England I grew up as a man,” he told Fiorentina’s official website.
“Italian and English football differ somewhat in terms of intensity. Training sessions are a bit shorter and involve less tactics, but they are more intense and focused on actual gameplay; I think I improved a lot in that regard while I was there.
“It’s important to strike a balance between the two. Having played for Italian national teams for a long time, I think I have a bit of an Italian mindset—regarding diet, food, and the focus placed on work. In England, things are much more laid-back; everyone is a bit more relaxed.
“Football is important, of course, but it isn’t everything—which is perhaps a good thing, as it allows me to stay relatively calm and enjoy my life.”
Feeling the benefits
The Leeds forward is certain that he’s already seeing the benefits of his return. He’s yet to score or assist in three Serie A appearances but did get a goal in the Italian Cup win over Pisa.
But it’s not just benefits on the pitch he’s focused on. He can feel the benefits physically from a change in style.
“I’m certain I’ve improved physically, because we’re working really hard,” he added.
“Coach Vanoli has us doing a lot of running. I’m definitely improving physically; I feel better and think I’m in pretty good shape. I can improve in every aspect here.
“I work daily to refine both the things I’m already fairly good at and the areas where I struggle a bit, and I’m confident I can do that with the help of the coach and my teammates.”
There’s other plus points too. The move to Fiorentina gives him a chance to return to Italy, where he was previously in Inter’s youth system. And he admits that he certainly missed life in Italy.
“What did I miss about Italy? I missed the weather, the food, and speaking Italian every day,” he concluded.
“I left a while ago, so let’s just say I wasn’t used to being in Italy or among Italians anymore. Things are going well now. The guys are easy to get along with. I’m very happy, and I know things can only get better from here.”
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Club Years Appearances Goals
FC Zürich 2020–2022 74 12
Leeds United 2022–present 147 23
Fiorentina (loan) 2026–present 4 1
First-team club total 225 36
Competitive first-team matches across all competitions, including
Championship play-offs. Excludes friendlies, reserve-team matches
and youth football. Club record through 20 September 2026.
Italy senior international record: 13 appearances, 1 goal.
International figures are excluded from the club total.