Last season, Leeds United had one of the best attacking units in the Championship – scoring 95 goals in the league. Daniel Farke’s setup was a dynamic system focusing on wing play.
Which meant that both the fullbacks and wingers in the team were crucial to any success. Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo dominated down the flanks, with their lung-busting runs and instinct in the box. It is very rare for a team to have two productive fullbacks, but Leeds did it with ease – Bogle managed 10 goal contributions, and Firpo had 14 in total.
So this summer, when the left back’s contract was up, there was a bit of panic around the club. Firpo himself had hinted that his time in England was up. Leeds offered him a new deal but the defender moved back to Spain, joining Real Betis on a free transfer.
QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former Leeds United strikers?
Gabriel Gudmundsson reflects on season so far
Gabriel Gudmundsson Credit: Imago
There were many questions as who could come in at left back, especially with how Firpo had performed in recent seasons. His attacking side had always been impressive, but his defending left a lot to be desired. Leeds eventually replaced him with Gabriel Gudmundsson, who joined from Ligue 1 side Lille.
The Swedish international has gone under the radar this season with how well he has played. Gudmundsson has been great, outside his one mistake – scoring the own goal against Fulham. But the defender says he has been able to move on from the incident:
“Of course it hurt there and then.
“But it was a new day the next day and a new match the weekend after where we did a very good performance, I think.
“It was very nice, a relief.”
Leeds United man has been key this season
Everybody praises Gudmundsson’s defensive side of the game, but he has been instrumental in attack. The Swedish defender ranks fourth in the squad for passes into the final third (16), third for progressive passes (23) and is joint-top for passes into the penalty area (5).
Defensively he has held his own so far, and the only negative has been the own goal. Gudmundsson is also very useful in the build up as he keeps the ball well and rarely loses it – Leeds have signed a bargain this season.
