Wilfried Gnonto 2021/22: The former Inter Milan academy product helping lead FC Zürich to league title triumph – scout report

At only 18-years old, Wilfried Gnonto has become one of the best young players currently in the Swiss Super League. Gnonto was born in Verbania, in the northwest of Italy, close to the border with Switzerland. He is a product of Inter Milan’s youth academy, where he progressed up through the age groups before leaving and joining FC Zürich on a free transfer in 2020. 

This season, Gnonto has broken out, with 9 goals and 2 assists for the Zürich based side in 31 matches played. His performances have played a large part in FC Zürich locking up the Swiss Super League title, with his side currently 18 points clear of second-place FC Basel. His performances have also attracted the interest of clubs around Europe, with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven currently being heavily linked with attempting to secure Gnonto’s services this summer. This tactical analysis and scout report will take a look at some early strengths that Gnonto is beginning to display. 

Position overview 

As the heat map above shows, Wilfried Gnonto typically enjoys drifting out towards the left wing during matches. Normally, FC Zürich boss André Breitenreiter sets his side up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Gnonto normally deployed as one of the two forwards. As matches progress however, he likes to leave his more central position and drift wide left; where he is able to be isolated against opposition fullbacks 1v1, as well as help to create overloads with his wingbacks getting forward into advanced positions. Gnonto is a high output dribbler, which combines well with the positions he likes to take up during matches. 

Dribbling 

As just previously mentioned, Gnonto is a high output dribbler, with him attempting 7.34 dribbles per 90 this season in all competitions for FC Zürich, with a success rate of 53.3%. His attempted dribbles per 90 is almost four more than the next highest out of all of Zürich’s attackers (Assan Ceesay, 3.69 dribbles per 90). This section will take an in-depth look at the quality of Wilfried Gnonto’s dribbling ability.