Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson has spoken candidly how the pressure to perform for the Whites is greater than first anticipated, having under-estimated the size of the club’s fan base.
The summer signing has impressed onlookers with the majority of his displays since arriving at Elland Road, many arguing he has been one of the best performing new arrivals so far. He has helped to keep two clean sheets in the first three games.
Gudmundsson’s maturity to know when to attack and when to sit in has also been noted by match-goers and analysts. In an honest admission to Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen this week, the 26-year-old says he has been taken aback by the media attention of the Premier League and the scale of the club’s support.
“I am incredibly proud to have reached this level,” he said. “I have had a dream since I was little to come to the Premier League and to be in Leeds is great fun. I knew it was a big and historic club, but it is still bigger than I thought.”
Asked to expand, Gudmundsson added: “The fan base and what they stand for. It may have to do with the fact that Leeds only has one team from the city. Then there will be more pressure.
“I knew there would be a lot of pressure but it is still more than I thought. Then the media is much greater in the Premier League. How is the pressure at Elland Road? Fantastic.”
Gudmundsson says he has settled in “very well” at Leeds and is pleased about picking up four points from a tricky opening three games: “We have four points after three games.
“It is clear that you want to win every game, but you also have to be realistic. The Arsenal game will not leave a mark on our season. They are fighting to win and we are fighting to stay. It was just a matter of accepting and forgetting
“We have a good squad and a clear idea. I think it will be tough to face each other on our home ground.”
Meanwhile, Gudmundsson says he has shaken off the injury problem that forced him off in Saturday’s goalless draw with Newcastle United.
The left-back received treatment on his right leg in the final ten minutes of the contest before being replaced by fellow new recruit James Justin at left-back. That Gudmundsson walked off the pitch gave hope that any issue was not serious.
The Sweden international has revealed he actually sustained the issue early on in the match but carried on until he could no longer do so. Speaking ahead of his country’s World Cup qualifiers this break, Gudmundsson said: “I got a knock early on.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Leeds United Terrace Icons
“I tried to fight my way through the match but it got a bit heavy at the end. Now I feel good. I am fully ready and have 90 minutes in me if needed against Slovenia.”
Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson had previously outlined that the 26-year-old was en route to camp after ‘assuring’ the coach he was fine to face Slovenia on Friday and Kosovo on Monday.
In other Leeds injury news this week, Joe Rodon has withdrawn from the Wales camp with an undisclosed issue. Leeds Live understands that this does not risk his participation in United’s first game back against Fulham on September 13.
Here at LeedsLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Leeds United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest Leeds news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.