Since moving to Leeds United from Werder Bremen this summer, Ilia Gruev has had a quiet start to life at Elland Road.The Whites’ £4 million midfielder [Daily Mail, August 31,] has made just three cameo appearances for Daniel Farke’s team as Ethan Ampadu, Glen Kamara, and Archie Gray excel in the center of the pitch.
In his first two months, Gruev has made just as many appearances for his country, with his most recent one coming on Saturday (October 14) in Bulgaria’s 2-0 loss to Lithuania in their Euro 2024 qualifying match.
The 23-year-old had his work cut out for him after starting on the left side of a back three rather than his customary central midfield position since Bulgaria were reduced to 10 men after 42 minutes when Andrian Kraev was given a second yellow card.
While Gruev’s team struggled to regain control of the game, the 23-year-old still had a few opportunities to shine, completing 88 percent of his 57 attempted passes, including one crucial pass that led to a chance for him in the first 45 minutes [Sofascore] .
Five of the long passes throughout the game were accurate, and six of them were into the final third. Given that the Leeds United player is only little over six feet tall and not the most physically imposing center-back, he made five ball recoveries defensively, won one ground battle, and 100% of his two aerial duels.
Gruev unfortunately received a yellow card midway through the second half and may have done better after heading a set-piece wide after only 20 minutes, but it is difficult to criticize Gruev’s performance given how long Lithuania had a man advantage.
Gruev may find it simpler to obtain regular playing time for Leeds United if he is willing to play in the backline as he has done with his national team given the fierce rivalry for positions in the middle of the park currently in Farke’s side.
The 23-year-old could play similarly to Gray and Shackleton, who have both filled in on either side of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk at various points this season, even if playing at full-back demands a different skill set than playing in a back three.
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