Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he had the option to team up with Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund until Jose Mourinho demanded he stay at Chelsea.
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De Bruyne could have joined Klopp's DortmundEnded up staying at Chelsea under MourinhoLeft in permanent Wolfsburg move months laterWHAT HAPPENED?
De Bruyne returned to Chelsea after a loan spell at Werder Bremen and had the opportunity to return to the Bundesliga for another temporary spell. He says joining Dortmund, then coached by Klopp, was an option, but then-Blues manager Mourinho decided to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
AdvertisementGetty WHAT DE BRUYNE SAID
He told : "I signed for Chelsea knowing that I would be loaned out the first year and if I do really well we'll see what happens. I did the pre-season, went to Werder Bremen, had a really good year. In the summer it was a little bit of a toss-up, I could have went to Dortmund with Klopp at the time or stayed, and Jose wanted me to stay. It just didn't work out, I was maybe just a little bit impatient at the time also, but I just wanted to play football."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite Mourinho keeping him around, De Bruyne made just three Premier League appearances in the first half of the 2013-14 season and opted to leave to make a permanent move to Wolfsburg, where he became a star and earned a switch to Manchester City.
Asked if he felt he deserved to be in the Chelsea team before his departure, he said: "I had the confidence. I know there's a lot of good players there and that it was a top team. I understand how it also works for the young guys at every club when you get loaned out, come back, loaned out, come back, and I didn't want that situation anymore, so I just pushed a little bit to get sold and that will happen."
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR DE BRUYNE?
De Bruyne continued his ascent to one of the best playmakers in world football at City, where he has played since 2015. The Belgian attacking midfielder will hope to help fire his team to the Champions League quarter-finals when they take on Copenhagen in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday – City already lead 3-1 from the reverse fixture.
After getting off to a blistering start in the Premier League this season, Aston Villa will be looking to cause plenty more shocks after the international break. Unai Emery's side currently sit fifth, just four points adrift of table-toppers Tottenham Hotspur. The greatest credit that can be given to Emery and his side, is that their start hasn't been a major surprise – it always seemed likely that we'd be talking about the Midlands club as ones to watch.
The Villans could yet get even better, too, whether that comes through the January transfer window, or next summer, when they could be in a stronger position than ever to land some key targets, including one particular Championship star.
What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?
Much of the credit for Villa's strong start this season should go to their recruitment team, who once again worked wonders to help land the likes of Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres in the summer. By the end of the deadline, they had spent a reported €93m (£80m), and ever since then, they have not looked back, with their spending more than paying off.
Player
Price (via Transfermarkt)
Moussa Diaby
€55m (£48m)
Pau Torres
€33m (£29m)
Nicolo Zaniolo
€5m (£4m) – loan fee
Youri Tielemans
Free
Clement Lenglet
Loan
Now, Villa could be set to spend even more money, with the latest Jonathan Rowe transfer news reporting that the Premier League side are interested in the Norwich City wide player. According to TeamTalk, Villa, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Sheffield United are all interested in making a move for Rowe, who the Canaries are keen to secure on a long-term contract.
When the January transfer window comes around, as well as the summer window, Rowe will certainly be one to keep an eye on, especially if Norwich fail to secure promotion from the Championship, and Aston Villa come calling. Rowe's agent is also the same as Jacob Ramsey's, so the club could have a route into negotiations on the player's side too.
How has Jonathan Rowe performed this season?
To say that Rowe, who can play on either flank, has got off to an impressive start for Norwich this season would be an understatement. Rowe's goals and assists have stolen the headlines, as he has scored seven times and provided two more in 13 games in all competitions. Add in the fact that he's still just 20-years-old, and you begin to realise just how much potential he has to become a top player, whether that be at Norwich, or a club like Villa.
That form has seen him earn plenty of praise, too, including from Carlton Palmer, who told Football League World: "Norwich City sit joint-fourth in the Championship on 16 points, representing a very decent start to the season.
"One player making a lot of noise is Jonathan Rowe, Norwich's 20-year-old winger has scored five goals in nine appearances and was named EFL Young Player of the Month in August. Rowe is a product of Norwich's academy and his scintillating form has seen him earn a call-up to England's under-20 squad.
"If he can keep producing performances like he's doing then he's going to become a very hot commodity. He could be worth upwards of £20m, I'd definitely put him in the same category as Gnonto at Leeds United."
Glamorgan’s batting has troubled them all season and Josh Poysden’s career-best ensured there would be no let up
ECB Reporters Network09-Jun-2018 ScorecardA career-best five for 29 from Warwickshire leg-spinner Josh Poysden continued Glamorgan’s batting struggles on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship match at Edgbaston.The Welsh county chose to bat, aiming to at least double their haul of just three batting points collected from the first four games.But they added just one more as, on a slow pitch, they were bowled out for 220 after Poysden, playing his first championship game of the season, dismantled the lower order.Poysden said: “It has been a really frustrating time for me, not being in the team at the start of this year and for most of last year. I didn’t play as much as I wanted to, especially in the championship last year, and with us getting relegated it hurt not to be able to contribute.”But I went away in the winter and worked hard with Stuart MacGill again and then, after I came back, have worked hard with the coaches here at Edgbaston.”Australia Test star Usman Khawaja made just four on his debut and, though David Lloyd, Owen Morgan and Chris Cooke all got decent starts, no-one built the big innings required.The total looks well under par, although Glamorgan fought back well in the last session, removing both Warwickshire openers to leave the home side on 24 for 2 at the close.After Chris Cooke, captaining Glamorgan for the first time, won the toss, young openers Nick Selman and Jack Murphy added 44 in 14 overs. They were parted by Henry Brookes when Murphy was adjudged lbw by Indian umpire Yeshwant Barde, officiating in the first match of his exchange trip.Connor Brown then edged Chris Wright behind and Selman (30, 74 balls, four fours) bat-padded Jeetan Patel to short leg.Khawaja’s uncomfortable, 47-minute stay was ended by a Keith Barker inswinger and Barker should have immediately also dismissed Cooke, who was dropped on nought by Dominic Sibley at second slip. The captain survived to add 57 in 15 overs with Morgan before misreading Poysden’s first ball and falling lbw.Poysden struck again in each of his first two overs after tea when Morgan was lbw and Andrew Salter clipped to short mid-wicket.Lloyd, having batted forcefully to pass 2,000 first-class runs in his 50th match, then departed deeply unimpressed with the decision that he had edged a ball from Patel on to pad before Tim Ambrose reached forward to catch it.Ruaidhri Smith became the fifth lbw casualty when he missed a sweep at Poysden who bowled Lukas Carey first ball to complete his five-for.Glamorgan hit back hard when the home side replied as Carey rattled Will Rhodes’ stumps with the first ball of the innings and Timm Van der Gugten castled Sibley with the 56th.Both sides are depleted in the seam-bowling department with Warwickshire’s Olly Stone and Ryan Sidebottom ruled out by side strains and Glamorgan missing captain Michael Hogan and Marchant de Lange due to hamstring injuries.
Ed Smith’s first squad as national selector includes a couple of big calls
George Dobell15-May-20183:44
Buttler selection not a snub to county cricket – Smith
Jos Buttler has earned a surprise recall to England’s Test team at the expense of James Vince, while the Somerset spinner, Dominic Bess, was the beneficiary of his team-mate Jack Leach’s misfortune, as the new national selector, Ed Smith, unveiled his squad for next week’s first Test against Pakistan.Buttler, who has not played red-ball cricket for England since the tour of India in November and December 2016, has found a rich vein of form for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL this month, with a tournament-record five consecutive half-centuries, including unbeaten scores of 95 and 94 in his last two innings.”Jos Buttler is an outstanding talent, who is already a central part of England’s white-ball teams,” Smith said. “The selection panel feels that this is the perfect moment to reintroduce Jos to Test cricket, where he has already enjoyed some success, including a stint playing as a specialist batsman at number seven. Jos is playing with great confidence and flair, and he will bring unique qualities to the Test team.”England squad for first Test v Pakistan
Joe Root (capt), Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
He will return to the middle order, with Jonny Bairstow retaining the wicketkeeper’s role and moving up the order, meaning Vince is fall guy after a winter of false dawns, in spite of a timely Championship double-century for Hampshire against Somerset on Monday. Joe Root will bat at No.3 with Dawid Malan at No. 4.Vince, who was recalled to the Test squad for the Ashes, in spite of a mediocre start to his career against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2016, made an attractive 83 in his first Test innings of the winter, at Brisbane in November, and signed off with 76 against New Zealand at Christchurch last month. However, in between whiles, he made just one more score of fifty in nine innings, with a propensity to get himself out when well set costing him dear.Buttler has outperformed the rest of his IPL side in May•ESPNcricinfo LtdBess, meanwhile, has leapfrogged to the front of England’s spinning options, in the wake of a cruel injury for Leach in the nets at Taunton next week. A fractured left thumb means he will be out of action for both Pakistan Tests, and so will be unable to back up the promise he showed on Test debut in Christchurch last month. Moeen Ali was dropped for the final Test in New Zealand and has played no red-ball cricket since due to his spell at the IPL.”Dom Bess has made an excellent start to his first-class career,” Smith said. “He has impressed everyone with his performances for Somerset and when he has been given opportunities with England representative teams. With Jack Leach missing out due to injury, the selection panel wanted to invest opportunity in a young spin bowler. Dom’s strong form, character and all-round abilities presented a compelling case for selection.Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, who was recalled in Christchurch, will compete for the final fast-bowling spot while Mark Stoneman has retained his place at the top of the order despite a lean start to the season. He had faced pressure from an in-form Nick Gubbins.Meanwhile, Malan and Tom Curran have been awarded incremental contracts based on their performances in the 2017-18 period. Malan was one of the few successes in the Ashes while Curran became a regular part of the one-day side.
Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers was backed throughout the summer transfer window as the board allowed him to bring in nine new signings to bolster the squad.
Nat Phillips, Luis Palma, Odin Thiago Holm, Paulo Bernardo, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Marco Tilio, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, and Hyun-jun Yang all came through the door at Parkhead.
However, snapping up talent from other clubs is not the only way to improve the side as the Northern Irish tactician could also look to the academy to find a future first-team star.
One player whose performances for the club's youth sides suggest that the potential is there for them to emerge as an option at senior level is 20-year-old striker Joey Dawson, who could be unearthed as the eventual heir to Kyogo Furuhashi at Paradise.
How many goals has Kyogo scored for Celtic?
The 28-year-old marksman has plundered an impressive 58 goals in 91 matches in all competitions for the Hoops since the start of the 2021/22 campaign.
He has been a prolific scorer for the Bhoys since his move from Vissel Kobe in 2021 and contributed with a stunning 27 goals in 36 Scottish Premiership clashes last season.
Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi.
The Japan international, who has scored four goals in six league games this term, produced a goal every 1.33 matches on average throughout the 2022/23 Premiership campaign, which shows that he is a reliable goalscorer for the Scottish giants.
Kyogo has proven himself to be able to find the back of the net on a regular basis and Celtic have a player who has the potential to replicate that success with Dawson.
How many goals has Joey Dawson scored for Celtic?
The English youngster has scored a phenomenal 20 goals in 24 matches for Celtic B since joining the club from Scunthorpe ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Dawson made his Scottish Premiership debut for the senior side that term but has not appeared in any more matches since then, despite an incredible 2022/23 season for the academy.
The 20-year-old marksman, who was described as "big" by his uncle and former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, racked up an outstanding 20 goals and three assists in 21 Lowland League games last term.
He averaged one strike every 1.05 league outings for the B team and averaged more than one goal contribution every clash for the side throughout the campaign.
Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi.
This shows that the talented finisher has the potential to be a lethal and prolific scorer for the Hoops if he can translate that form over to the Premiership and other senior competitions.
His record for the B team is outstanding even in comparison to Kyogo's phenomenal form for the Bhoys and he, therefore, could end up being the dream heir to the Japan international if he can handle the step up.
However, the young star suffered a horrible knee injury back in March and is not expected to be back until the start of 2024. This means that there is no immediate need for him to emerge as a first-team player but Rodgers could slowly bed him into the set-up throughout next year.
The Northern Irish head coach could see how Dawson deals with his recovery and then offer him a chance to impress in a competitive setting later this season, or at the start of the following campaign, to see if he can eventually take over from Kyogo in the number nine position.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou could move to unleash an unseen Spurs talent this season, according to journalist Dean Jones.
Who have Tottenham signed 2023?
The north Londoners, in a bid to strengthen Postecoglou's ranks and being the post-Antonio Conte era, brought in seven major signings over the 2023 summer transfer window. Indeed, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, defender Micky van de Ven, midfielder James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon, talented striker Alejo Veliz and forward Brennan Johnson all joined Spurs before deadline day.
Going the other way, Tottenham had to cope with losing star striker Harry Kane, who signed for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Following the 30-year-old, Sergio Reguilon, Joe Rodon, Djed Spence, Harry Winks, Alfie Devine, Troy Parrott, Dane Scarlett, Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele all moved elsewhere either on temporary deals or permanent ones.
The Lilywhites are enjoying a truly sensational early-season spell under Postecoglou; winning four out of their opening five Premier League matches whilst remaining unbeaten. Spurs are now gearing up for a crunch north London derby clash away to Arsenal this Sunday, and their rivals are in equally good form heading into this very interesting encounter.
Alejo Veliz transfer
One highly-rated young signing who Spurs supporters are eager to watch is Veliz, who sealed a move to N17 from Argentine side Rosario Central. The 20-year-old is yet to make his senior debut at Tottenham, and may have to wait a fair while for it to happen.
However, according to GiveMeSport reporter Jones, this could well happen before the season is over and Veliz could well be "unleashed" by Postecoglou.
"There is hope for a bright future for him in North London," wrote Jones for GMS. "The 19-year-old moved from Argentina, where he had been making moves with Rosario Central and impressing in the youth levels for the national team.
"It is not clear yet exactly how Spurs plan to build him for the first team but his first outing in the EFL Trophy in a 5-0 win over Colchester was a promising start as he came off the bench and showed signs of his strengths on and off the ball.
"He has been scouted by clubs including Brighton and Rangers and while they stuttered over committing to him, Spurs took him on as they see him as a player that can make his mark on the Premier League. This first season is important for bedding him and helping him to understand exactly how he is going to do that. We will see him sparingly before Christmas but by the end of this campaign he could be fully unleashed."
How good is Alejo Veliz?
Rosario Central striker Alejo Veliz.
The young South American was garnering quite the reputation before his switch to Tottenham. Across the Atlantic, Veliz scored 19 goals and registered two assists over 63 appearances for Rosario Central.
Called a "talent" by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, the same figure praised Veliz as a "complete forward" when profiling the player on X. 1978 Argentine World Cup winner Daniel Bertoni also had this to say on the player in an interview with TUTTOmercatoWEB: “Congratulations to Tottenham, who took Alejo Veliz from Rosario Central. For me, [Veliz is] a phenomenon.”
The only new addition is Gauteng’s 21-year old offspinner Raisibe Ntozakhe. Marcia Letsoalo, who last played over a year ago at the World Cup Qualifiers, is the only exclusion from the 2017-18 list
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Mar-2018In what could be seen as a sign of continuity looking ahead to the next cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship and the Women’s World T20 to be played in West Indies later this year, Cricket South Africa have offered contracts to 13 of the 14 players from the 2017-18 season.The only new addition is Gauteng’s 21-year old offspinner Raisibe Ntozakhe. Marcia Letsoalo, the 33-year-old fast bowler who last played over a year ago at the World Cup Qualifiers, is the only exclusion from the list. The new contracts will come into effect on May 1 and run up to April 30, 2019.South Africa, who hosted India for a limited-overs series in February, have a busy 14 months coming up. They next host Bangladesh in May before touring England and West Indies for the second and third round of championship matches. The World T20 and a home series against Sri Lanka will follow that.”The esteem in which our women’s team is held following their successful campaign when they reached the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup last year is reflected in their invitation to have a major tour of England including a T20 triangular series against England and New Zealand,” said Corrie van Zyl, CSA’s general manager. “It is important that we build on our recent successes as we prepare for this year’s Women’s World T20.CSA contracts list for 2018-19: Dane van Niekerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Mignon du Preez, Shabnim Ismail, Trisha Chetty, Chloe Tryon, Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Masabata Klaas, Andrie Steyn, Mosaline Daniels, Raisibe Ntozakhe
Liverpool are in the running to sign an exciting new forward next summer, but a fresh report has revealed the other clubs also in the race to secure his services.
What's the latest transfer news at Liverpool?
Alongside West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, Jurgen Klopp’s side were recently linked with Liverpool Montevideo’s former midfielder Fabricio Diaz having held talks over the summer, though they missed out on his signature having eventually joined Qatari side Al-Gharafa.
In terms of potential exits, Mohamed Salah continues to be associated with a switch to the Saudi Pro League, in particular Al-Ittihad, whilst Joel Matip has also hinted during an interview with Sky Sports Germany that he could be heading for the exit door in the near future.
With FSG likely already assessing their options ahead of 2024, a name to have entered the fold is Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, who despite having been at the club for four years, he’s had two loan spells out on the road, the first at Premier League rivals Chelsea and the second at Barcelona where he currently is now, via Transfermarkt.
The Portugal international, who is naturally a second striker, was previously the subject of rumours suggesting that Reds chiefs wanted him in a swap deal involving Darwin Nunez going the other way, but after these claims were firmly shut down, it all went quiet.
Are Liverpool signing Joao Felix?
According to Spanish reports (via The Liverpool Echo), however, Liverpool, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are all “in the equation” to sign Felix in the summer of 2024. The Atletico attacker is currently excelling for Barcelona, and as a result, Xavi’s side are hoping to make his move permanent.
Diego Simeone’s outfit will have a decision to make regarding their prized asset’s future, though as it stands, they are “expected to cash in”, which will no doubt have his four potential suitors on high alert.
Barcelona's loan forward Joao Felix.
Is Joao Felix a good player?
According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Felix is a “nightmare for defenders” to play against and he’s already shown that at the start of this season since joining Barcelona, so there’s no doubt that he’s a fantastic forward and one that could flourish at Liverpool.
The Viseu native, who earns just £6.5k-per-week after taking a "staggering pay cut" to join Barca, has already posted four goal contributions (three goals and one assist) in three outings at the Camp Nou, whilst ranking in the 99th percentile for shots, highlighting both his desire and ability to hit the back of the net.
Sponsored by Adidas, the 23-year-old also has a great record when playing against Klopp’s side having recorded two assists when part of the opposition team, so if he’s capable of performing to that level when he’s on the other side, imagine what he could do at Anfield.
Finally, Felix shares the same agent, Gestifute, as both Nunez and Diogo Jota, so this existing connection that his representative already has to the club could give the board a small advantage over their competitors should they decide to pursue a deal next summer.
The coach Darren Lehmann is reportedly planning to announce his resignation. Meanwhile, former captain Steve Waugh has called for Cricket Australia to uphold the spirit of the game
Daniel Brettig27-Mar-2018Steven Smith’s ban from the Johannesburg Test has forced the call-up of Matt Renshaw into the Australian squad, as the former captain Steve Waugh called for Cricket Australia to refocus on the importance of the spirit of the game.Dropped at the start of the summer for Cameron Bancroft, Renshaw now finds himself thrown into the middle of the ball tampering fiasco likely to force multiple changes to the national team.The team flies to Johannesburg on Tuesday, with CA’s chief executive James Sutherland set to meet them on arrival and digest the findings of a code of behaviour investigation by the head of integrity Iain Roy.The coach Darren Lehmann is reportedly planning to announce his resignation, while it is also understood the assistant coach David Saker was the only other member of support interviewed by Roy. Smith, David Warner and Bancroft were among the players Roy interviewed. Sutherland is expected to speak publicly about the affair late on Tuesday.The events of the Newlands Test have brought an unprecedented level of outrage from the Australian public, moving Waugh to speak about the need to realign the spirit of cricket as a priority for the team and CA.”Like many I’m deeply troubled by the events in Cape Town this last week, and acknowledge the thousands of messages I have received, mostly from heartbroken cricket followers worldwide,” he said. “The Australian cricket team has always believed it could win in any situation against any opposition, by playing combative, skilful and fair cricket, driven by our pride in the fabled baggy green.”I have no doubt the current Australian team continues to believe in this mantra, however some have now failed our culture, making a serious error of judgement in the Cape Town Test Match. In 2003, we modified the Spirit of Cricket document originally created by the MCC, to empower our players to set their own standards and commit to play the Australian way.”We must urgently revisit this document, re-bind our players to it and ensure the Spirit in which we play is safeguarded for the future of the sport, and to continue to inspire the dreams of every young kid picking up a bat and ball and for every fan who lives and breathes the game.”Waugh called for consideration to be given to the “social impact and mental health” of all players involved in the episode.”A focused and balanced perspective is needed in the condemnation on those involved in this, with a clear and critical consideration to the social impact and mental health of all players,” he said. “I will support all positive action to ensure an outcome for the betterment of the game, regaining the trust and faith of every fan of cricket.”Renshaw hit the winning runs for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final, finishing unbeaten on 81 off 83 balls. Earlier in the season, he struck three successive centuries – 170 against Victoria, 112 against South Australia and 143 not out against Western Australia – to lead his team into the title clash.
Leeds United have had little to shout about over the last year, given their miserable run of form, persisting defensive frailties and eventual relegation.
It was a year that saw three different managers endure a stint in the dugout, with Daniel Farke having emerged out the other end as the man now trusted to lead the Whites into a brighter future.
He has already taken great strides towards this goal with a fine summer transfer window, where he carefully negotiated the various pitfalls that the previous regime had left for him, to finish with a squad still worthy of a title run.
Having already hit the ground running with Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon's acquisitions, despite winning just once in the Championship, Deadline Day saw a further three new faces welcomed in a last-gasp scramble to provide ample competition to his stars.
However, it was marred by the late exit of Luis Sinisterra, which did leave a sour taste in the mouths of supporters given his reintegration back into the first team.
Things could have been far worse though, had they also lost Wilfried Gnonto earlier in the window, which reports had suggested they were very close to.
Who is Leeds United's most valuable player?
Given the numerous departures that Farke was forced to oversee this summer, the label of their most valuable player has shifted dramatically. Especially considering how their relegation dented the value of most of their stars, given the weakened position they were forced into.
After all, to get just £20m for Tyler Adams marked poor business given they had paid the same amount the year prior, particularly given he was one of few shining lights last term in the Premier League.
The same can be said for the various loan deals suffered, with Brenden Aaronson, Max Wober, Marc Roca and more all leaving, despite having only joined within the last year for £24.5m, £11m and £10m respectively.
So, now there is just a small group of players who sit atop the club's list for highest market value, with the Italy international in Gnonto being one of those stars.
Wilfried Gnonto
Having joined last summer in a Deadline Day move, the teenage star quickly became a mainstay under Jesse Marsch, dazzling defenders and endearing himself to the Elland Road crowd with his dynamism and direct play style. Then, to notch eight goal contributions across all senior English competitions marked a fine return for what was his first year in a new country.
Such form understandably merited praise, which pundit Tam McManus gladly offered: "The boy who got the assist, he came on and he just looks like a little pocket rocket. Wow, what a performance from him. He looks like he has a real low centre of gravity and he looks absolutely tremendous."
This ability in possession is best outlined when compared to other wingers across Europe, as Gnonto manages to rank in the top 17% for progressive carries per 90, with his speed and powerfully short stature a key factor in that success.
So, it was no surprise to see his services well sought-after this summer.
How much was Wilfried Gnonto worth before joining Leeds?
Having spent the bulk of his youth career with Inter Milan, in 2020 the 5 foot 7 dynamo made the bold choice to trade his homeland for Switzerland, signing for FC Zurich. He would swiftly break into the first team and saw his value skyrocket accordingly.
With the first recorded valuation sitting at a lowly €1m (£855k) as of December 2020, by the time of his exit this had risen to a lofty €10m (£8.5m). This made the eventual fee that the Yorkshire outfit would sign him for even more of a coup.
In total he made 74 appearances for the club, scoring 12 and assisting ten. However, it was his performances since moving to England that really put him on the map.
How much did Leeds United sign Wilfried Gnonto for?
To view those aforementioned figures in relation to how much Marsch actually paid for Gnonto, it is crazy just how much of a bargain this deal was.
However, there was a potentially different outcome that was pushed to the side, as the speedster was actually due to join in the following January, with a deal having been agreed weeks before his eventual move.
Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch celebrate Leeds United's survival on the final day of the Premier League season.
Despite that, failed ventures to sign Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng saw them alter the stipulations of the move, fast-tracking it to that very summer despite journalist Phil Hay reporting: "Marsch says Gnonto wouldn't be Premier League ready. Would be a longer-term thing and not certain to happen in this window."
They would spend just £5m to bring him to Yorkshire, with that fee having since soared given the platform they offered him to shine on, which he took with both hands. He proved his former boss wrong instantly, by shining at the top level with ease.
What is Wilfried Gnonto's market value now?
Such was the nature of his performances, the young Italy international understandably drew plenty of interest. Everton were reportedly one such club who continued to push for his services, firing off numerous bids to no avail.
Gnonto would even hand in a transfer request as he sought to force through the move, but Farke remained steadfast on his stance: the wide man would not be leaving.
Rejecting £25m for his services was bold, but clearly the German manager saw him as an integral part of any promotion success they hoped to achieve. After all, that fee would have made him their largest outlay for the window.
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto.
Such persistent interest from the Toffees, as well as a brief flirtation with Tottenham Hotspur, only serves to emphasise just how highly-rated the youngster now is. Football Transfers even value him at €26.7m (£23m), suggesting that had they accepted that offer from the Merseyside outfit, it would have marked a deal made above market value.
Such a figure helps to track the steady progression of Gnonto, as it can be compared to his initial transfer fee as a marker for how far he has come. Across just 12 months, his value has soared by 360%, by taking what first Leeds paid and comparing it with his current valuation.
Having since been welcomed back into the starting side, and with the transfer window now slammed shut, there will be hope around Yorkshire that he can put his head down and work towards earning an instant Premier League return, truly proving his worth. Irrespective of this summer's events, they have certainly struck gold with their initial investment.