Jesse Marsch names surprise Leeds United player he ‘really wants to see’ at World Cup

Canada manager Jesse Marsch is hopeful of seeing Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto at the World Cup.

The 52-year-old coach has been speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport about the Leeds United player.

Marsch knows the winger well from his time at Leeds United. The American was in charge at Elland Road for a year, starting from February 2022.

The Premier League side signed the Italy international from FC Zürich in September 2022, when Marsch was their manager.

Gnonto initially started on the bench and had to wait for over a month to make his Whites debut. The American utilised him regularly until Leeds United showed the coach the exit door. The attacker managed three goals and an assist from 12 matches under Marsch.

Italy are in the World Cup play-offs. They have to overcome Northern Ireland and then the winner of Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina to make it to the group stage. Should they successful, Italy will be placed in Group B, along with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

Leeds United player has left a mark

Gazzetta asked Marsch which player he’s looking forward to seeing at the World Cup.

“I have a home in Tuscany and a soft spot for your football; my favourite player was Albertini. I hope to see you again in the United States, and I really want to see Gnonto, whom I coached at Leeds,” he said.

Gnonto hasn’t represented the national team since September 2023 and is unlikely to return due to his limited minutes at Leeds United. Fiorentina are reportedly looking at him for the winter market.