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Oliver Jones

Wilfried Gnonto opens up on Leeds United squad's relegation admission amid promise to fans

Wilfried Gnonto has admitted that the Leeds United squad know they have a lot more left in the tank for the rest of the season, claiming that they can 'do a lot more'.

The 19-year-old has been a standout in what has been another struggling season for the Whites, with his value skyrocketing since his £4 million move from FC Zurich in the summer transfer window.

And Gnonto himself is enjoying the football he's getting, having started 10 of the last 12 matches in a Leeds shirt which have seen him be called up to the Italian senior national side by Roberto Mancini.

READ MORE: Italian media highlight Roberto Mancini's Wilfried Gnonto 'regret' after cameo against England

READ MORE: Leeds United news as Stan Collymore delivers verdict on Wilfried Gnonto in England win over Italy

"[It's going] better than I thought, you know," he told BBC Sport in an interview for Football Focus. "All of the staff, all of my teammates are really nice with me so I'm enjoying it a lot.

"Javi [Gracia] has a lot of experience, he's really calm, really grounded I can say. We know and see what he wants from us on the pitch, we want to have the ball, we want to play, we want to press.

"I am [happy]. This was a dream of mine, just to get the chance to play in these big stadiums like Old Trafford, Elland Road and Anfield, and that's something that I really like so I want to keep going and doing my things."

Arguably the shining moment of his season so far was his outrageous volley within 60 seconds against Cardiff City in the F.A Cup third round replay, with the goal drawing comparisons to fellow Italian Paulo Di Canio's iconic goal for West Ham back in 2000.

"I think I have to say Di Canio's was better no? I have to be humble! He's a legend. I didn't expect it [getting the message from him], it was really nice.

"He was saying that he's really happy for me, with how things are going at Leeds and just to keep going, stuff like this. It made me really proud because when I was younger, I used to watch videos of him and now to be getting praise from him is something incredible for me and my family.

"He said I need to stop scoring goals like that because he was getting so many messages!"

With the Whites currently in a heated relegation battle, which could see any three of the bottom nine teams go down to the Championship, Gnonto knows that him and his teammate must step up to secure safety.

"We know that we have a really good team. We realise that we've been unlucky in some moments, and I think that with this team, this group of players and this staff, we can do a lot more [in the future].

"I know I just want to keep enjoying myself, keep getting better, keep helping the team. I have an important role now and I just want to help the team to achieve our goals."

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