Leeds United have made a decent start to life in the Premier League this season. They have played two of last year’s top five in Arsenal and Newcastle United in their first three games, but still have managed to post four points on the board, which includes a win over Everton at home.
The Whites spent two years in the Championship following their relegation in 2023, and won the second-tier league last season to earn promotion back to the top table of England with 100 points on board.
Leeds had a heartbreak in the 2023/24 season when they lost the playoff final against Southampton and were forced to spend one more year in the Championship.
Ilia Gruev has been a part of this journey since the start, when he joined the Whites in 2023, and played a key part in getting the club back to the top flight of English football last season.
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Ilia Gruev was taken aback by the reception of the Leeds United fans
Gruev has been part of the whole journey from the Championship to the Premier League, which included experiencing the playoff final heartbreak last year.
He admitted that the way the city supports the club is crazy, and the scenes he witnessed during the promotion celebrations were nothing short of insane.
The Bulgarian was taken aback by the sea of people he witnessed on the streets of Leeds during the celebrations and conceded that it was a brilliant experience.
He also enjoys the electric atmosphere inside Elland Road during games, which is always sold out for all the fixtures.
“It was insane. The way the city supports the club is extraordinary and almost impossible to grasp”, Gruev told Bild.
“Between 200,000 and 400,000 people came to the parade on Monday afternoon in 17-degree weather and clouds. We drove through the city for two or three hours by bus, and the crowds just kept coming.
“It was a fantastic experience. You could feel what the club means to so many people.
“The fans are incredibly excited for our games. It’s always sold out, and the atmosphere is fantastic.”
Leeds will hope Gruev is fit for the Fulham clash
Bulgaria head coach Ilian Iliev revealed over the weekend that Gruev played in the second half against Georgia with an injury problem.
With Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu nursing knee injuries, Farke is facing a minor midfield crisis ahead of the Fulham clash at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Leeds will hope that Gruev has not aggravated his injury and will be fit enough to be in the starting eleven when the team travel to London at the end of the week.
