Leeds United’s decision to allow Wilfried Gnonto to depart for Fiorentina has been assessed by Stephen Warnock

Stephen Warnock believes Leeds United’s tactical set-up is just one of the reasons behind Wilfried Gnonto’s deadline day move to Fiorentina.

The 22-year-old winger left West Yorkshire on the final day of the summer transfer window, penning a loan deal containing a buy option in his native Italy.

He was afforded just four Premier League starts last season and departed after months of speculation.

Stephen Warnock has weighed on Wilfried Gnonto's move away from Leeds United. | Tony Johnson & Bruce Rollinson

placeholder image — Stephen Warnock has weighed on Wilfried Gnonto's move away from Leeds United. | Tony Johnson & Bruce Rollinson

Stephen Warnock’s Wilfried Gnonto verdict

Retired defender Warnock, who represented Leeds between 2013 and 2015, has suggested Gnonto did not fit into Daniel Farke’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

He told The Yorkshire Post: “The system he was in probably didn’t suit him. The way Daniel Farke plays with three at the back doesn’t allow him to be trusted defensively.

“And then you can question whether he had an influence alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin, probably not.”

Gnonto enjoyed a scintillating maiden campaign in England after joining Leeds from FC Zurich in 2022. However, his debut season ended in relegation to the Championship for the Whites.

He demanded to leave in the aftermath of relegation and although the wideman eventually backed down, Warnock believes the saga may have continued to play on his mind.

He said: “I think he also had a little bit of an issue when they went down [to the Championship] and he wanted out and there was a bit of a backlash from the fans; sometimes that can stick with you and play on your mind a lot.

Wilfried Gnonto made his Fiorentina debut at the weekend after sealing a loan move from Leeds United on deadline day. | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

“Fans don’t let players forget when you make comments about wanting to leave and they’ll push them on you quite a lot.

“So, I think there are a number of reasons [for his exit], and we haven’t even mentioned the physicality and speed at which football is played in the Premier League, which is probably all a bit too much for him as well.”