Illia Gruev was among the Leeds United first team players called up for this international break. This past week has been good for some stars and terrible for others.
Jaka Bijol made his quality known as he starred for Slovenia, who kept back to back clean sheets against Kosovo and Switzerland. The defender silenced his critics over his Leeds United form this season.
Wales trio Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow and Joe Rodon did not have it easy either; two losses to England and Belgium. Their World Cup hopes are now fading ahead of the final group games.
QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former Leeds United defenders?
Illia Gruev addresses national team ‘scandal’
Ilia Gruev Credit: Imago
Leeds midfielder Illia Gruev was benched for Bulgaria’s 6-1 defeat to Turkey, but played 89 minutes in their 4-0 loss to Spain. The 25-year old has been the topic of discussion for local media over what went down in the last international break. Gruev was in the middle of a national team dispute and was dropped from the matchday squad after a locker room confrontation. He was later reinstated by the FA president. Bulgaria boss Ilia Iliev was sacked after the incident and replaced by Alexander Dimitrov.
The Leeds United man has spoken out for the first time after being questioned by media over the September incident: “I don’t know where these [reports of] scandals come from,” he told Topsport.
Grueve also explained why he was on the bench for the Turkey defeat.
“I didn’t play [against] Turkey, but I wanted to play. This is the coach’s decision that I have to accept.
“I was disappointed, but we are a team, we have to help each other.”
Bulgaria have been eliminated from World Cup qualification after their two defeats this week.
Leeds United man in a serious midfield battle this season
Gruev was not really a starter in the Championship last season, but did get a run of games after injuries to key players. He has played a few games in the Premier League this season, but faces a huge task on his hands to displace his competitors.
Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach are some quality options to be in direct competition with.
