Leeds United spent close to £100million this summer, as the club hoped to build a team to compete in the Premier League. The results from the first few games of the season have some positives.
However, many fans believe the investment in the team should have been shifted towards the attack, where Leeds are having a real struggle. Daniel Farke’s men are yet to score a goal from open play in the league. Lukas Nmecha has been the only scorer from the side, and that was from the penalty spot.
Leeds are away to Wolves this weekend, hoping to get a result against Vitor Pereira’s side.
QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former Leeds United goalkeepers?
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Ilia Gruev speaks on ‘high level’ of quality in the team
Ilia Gruev
Credit: Imago
Despite not spending a lot on the attack, the midfield and defence have seen some impressive upgrades. Leeds now have some serious quality and depth in those areas of the pitch. Ilia Gruev was speaking to BBC West Yorkshire Sport on how the new signings have raised the standard of quality:
“The challenge, I have to say, this year, especially in midfield, is that we have so many good players.
“So, at the moment we have five central midfielders, with Ethan, with Anton, with Sean, with me, and the competition is really high.
“Which is really good because you can see in training also how high the level is, and I can feel as a player this develops me, this makes me better because every day, you have great teammates with a lot of quality, and you have to always be aware.
Leeds United midfielder on the fringes of the starting lineup
Unfortunately for Gruev, a lot of competition means he has not seen much playing time this season. The Bulgarian international has played 192 minutes, when he deputized for the injured duo of Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu.
“It’s normal because it’s the Premier League, it’s the best league in the world, nobody expected us to use just two midfielders, and you play every game 90 minutes, this is absolutely normal.
“I try to give my best to train good, to play good, to perform good, and the other things I can’t influence what the coach decides.”
