Toxic Leeds United transfer situation begs for natural conclusion if Whites can set the terms - YEP 21/8/23
It was always a possibility that Leeds United's Willy Gnonto situation could turn seriously toxic.
By Graham Smyth
Whenever a player is pitched against the club that he plays
for, either by his own actions or those of his representatives, then it's often
hard to see a way back. Prior to Friday night that was the case for Gnonto
because although some would not forgive and none would forget, apologies and
goals could have paved the path of redemption for the teenager.
That was before his camp submitted a written transfer
request on the evening of an actual game, when Daniel Farke was in the midst of
his final preparations. So ensconced was Farke in his matchday bubble that he
remained blissfully unaware of the email from Gnonto's representatives until
his post-game press conference. But the fans knew and the first minute of the game
allowed them to respond in the very raw and visceral way football supporters
do. The chants were aimed at Gnonto individually yet should have landed heavily
on whoever decided that Friday evening was the best time to submit a written
get-out plea.
Gnonto is just 19 years of age and therefore wildly
inexperienced in the ways of transfer situations, so he's relying on the advice
of those around him. Anyone with a teenager's best interests at heart would
surely now look upon the timing of that email as a miscalculation, at best.
Depressingly, the saga took an even worse turn when someone
aimed what Leeds have reported to police as a 'racist comment' at the Italian
international, on social media. It is a sad indictment of football and its
culture that this cannot have come as a surprise, not when these incidents are
still so commonplace. And it should not need saying, but for the hard of
thinking here it is - nothing Willy Gnonto has done is justification for racist
abuse. Leeds say they will support Gnonto, because a dispute with his employer
does not disqualify him from the duty of care they have towards him. The two
issues exist entirely separately.
What can also be said, however, is that one of those issues
should perhaps now inform the other.
Leeds' refusal to sell Gnonto, a position they still
occupied in the immediate wake of Friday's events, is based around a number of
factors. Gnonto is one of the summer transfer situations in which the club
actually has some control, simply because there is no release clause in his
deal. They believe he could be a tremendous asset in the Championship and then,
if all was to go to plan, in the Premier League. They also believe there is a
danger of setting a precedent in kowtowing to the demands of a contracted player
- if Gnonto gets his way, others could follow in his footsteps. The position,
thus far, has been that keeping Gnonto is what is best for Leeds United.
Last week it was still just about conceivable. Get him back
on side, get him playing and scoring and go down the Kalvin Phillips route. Get
us promoted or get yourself a move next summer because you have proven yourself
too good for the Championship.
Now that the whole thing has become so toxic, however, it is
difficult to envisage his retention as what is best for Leeds United or the
player. Gnonto is plainly a distraction, as any player engulfed in such a saga
would be. Unless there is some road to Damascus moment, Farke has made it clear
that he won't involve want-away players in his squad. There's a very real risk
of the German having to issue near-constant updates on Gnonto's whereabouts as
the season goes on. He would definitely attract heat, for want of a better
word, from the stands if he ever reappeared in a white shirt. Gnonto is close
to some in the squad, particularly Crysencio Summerville, and the situation
will place them in an awkward spot. And imagine that he doesn't decide to make
things right with Farke, what then? Does he play for the 21s? Does he go
without football entirely until January, or next summer or longer? Is it worth
it it, ultimately, if a youngster is being abused? There has to be an end to
this, a realistic one from which Leeds can still benefit.
Leeds have already shown a measure of mettle, by turning
down Everton's advances, but if there is a number that would allow Elland Road
chiefs to feel any kind of satisfaction then perhaps now is the time to let
their Goodison counterparts know. Or those in Serie A with any interest. Set
the terms, control the exit and then reinvest the profit. If Gnonto cannot
contribute on the pitch, let him do so on the balance sheet. Perhaps the
now-famous words of Liam Cooper should dictate in any situation involving a
want-away player. If they don't want to be here...fill in the blanks.
If there is a way back from this then it will be to the
credit of the player, the club and the fanbase because it will require almost
superhuman levels of humility, tolerance and forgiveness. If there isn't, then
do what is best for Gnonto and Leeds United and bring the sorry saga to what
now appears to be a natural conclusion.