Leeds United have some important decisions to make when the January transfer window opens. Daniel Farke needs to strengthen his squad, but the club may also see departures as it looks to make room for players with a bigger role in the second half of the season.
The demands of the Premier League mean not everyone can expect regular football, but there is a difference between being out of favour and seemingly having no route back into the team. One member of Farke’s squad has found himself in precisely that position.
His situation is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, particularly with his contract running down and no obvious indication that Leeds intend to extend his stay.
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Gruev has disappeared from Farke’s plans
Ilia Gruev’s situation at Leeds is becoming untenable. The midfielder has been an unused substitute in Premier League matches since returning from injury and has not managed to get a single minute on the pitch.
At one point, the Bulgarian was a useful option for Farke, offering defensive discipline and the ability to dictate possession from deeper areas. However, his place in the pecking order has changed, and the manager appears to have little interest in bringing him back into the starting eleven.
Gruev has barely had an opportunity to make a case for himself. Being named among the substitutes might suggest he remains part of the squad, but repeatedly watching matches from the bench tells a different story.
The bigger problem is his contract. The £5m midfielder is approaching the end of his current deal, which expires next summer, and Leeds has given little indication it plans to offer him fresh terms.
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Leeds should consider a January sale
Gruev can agree a pre-contract with a club outside England in January, allowing him to leave Leeds on a free transfer when his deal expires.
But waiting until the summer makes little sense if the situation stays the same. Leeds risk losing a player they paid money to sign without receiving anything in return, while Gruev could spend another six months watching from the sidelines.
A January departure would make more sense for everyone involved. It would give the midfielder an opportunity to find regular football elsewhere and allow Leeds to recover at least some of their investment.
Farke has shown little inclination to use him since his return from injury, and there is no obvious reason to expect that to change.
Leeds may prefer to retain some depth during a demanding Premier League campaign, but keeping an unhappy player who is unlikely to feature is hardly an ideal solution. If a suitable offer arrives in January, the club should seriously consider accepting it.
Gruev’s Elland Road career looks to be approaching its end. The only question may be whether he leaves in January or waits until the summer to walk away for nothing.
