The list pulled together by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) has named a Leeds United man among the world’s top young stars
Wilfried Gnonto has been declared one of the top 100 young players in the world ready to take the next step and join a ‘elite club,’ with data indicating the young star’s eye-watering value.
The Italian has had a rough summer, with the months following the Whites’ relegation in May dominated by speculation about whether Gnonto will join the mass exodus of first-team talent heading for the exit door.
It appeared to come to a head when the 19-year-old refused to go with the squad for the league game in Birmingham last month, though he returned to the side with a bang a fortnight later, scoring in the exciting win against Ipswich Town.
Leeds fans have never questioned Gnonto’s ability on the field, so it should come as no surprise that data compiled by the CIES Football Observatory has identified the winger as a future top-flight star.
The Swiss-based research group compiled a list of the top 100 players born in 2002 or later who do not currently play in one of Europe’s top five divisions, grading them based on their preparedness to step up and play for a top club.
Gnonto is the lone Leeds United player on the list, rating 81st out of 100, with a few other Championship players also included. Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is ranked ninth in England, while Leicester City’s on-loan defender Callum Doyle is ranked 20th.
Rankings are based on a player’s degree of experience during the previous year, which takes into account both playing time and the sports level of matches played, yielding an experience score of 100.
Antonio Silva of Benfica is at the top of the list, with a score of 75.9 and an estimated value of £102.5 million. Gnonto, for example, received a score of 46.9 and a worth of £41.9m.
