Leeds United are under some serious pressure after losing 2-0 at Burnley on Saturday. However, Gabriel Gudmundsson stood out amid the ruins at Turf Moor. The Swede has been one of Leeds’ best players, but he still needs to add something more to his game to reach the next level.
Gudmundsson was a shining light on a gloomy afternoon for Leeds as they went down tamely at Turf Moor this weekend. There are now serious question marks about the team’s ability to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
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The Swedish defender was again strong defensively and provided a sense of security at left-back. However, Leeds paid for a couple of bad errors from other players and left Turf Moor with nothing to show for their effort.
However, the left-back still needs to add something more to his game if he wants to take his game to the next level, and a minor addition to what he brings to the team could really help him explode under Daniel Farke this season.
The Leeds United star needs to better in the final third
Former Leeds United star Aidy White has admitted that Gudmundsson has been one of Leeds’ best players this season and has been defensively sound.
However, the former White is keen to see the full-back take more care of his end-product in the final third and feels that if he gets better in attack, his game will go to the next level.
He feels Gudmundsson must make his crosses and passes into the box count more, as this will make him a better player and really explode in the Premier League.
“I like him, I’ve liked him since the first game”, the defender said on BBC Radio Leeds.
“As a full-back, you look at those areas and what you’d do. He’s pretty much bob on in most areas of the pitch; it’s the end product that takes him to the next level.
“If he does get the time in those attacking areas, he’s got to make it count.
“Gudmundsson has been excellent overall.”
Gudmundsson needs to find his target with his crosses
Leeds put in loads of crosses into the box against Burnley, and it was a clear tactic from Farke’s men. However, most of these crosses failed to find their target.
Gudmundsson was responsible for putting in as many as 13 crosses into the Burnley penalty box. However, less than half that number actually found their target.
The Swede replaced Junior Firpo in the team this season. His predecessor was brilliant in the final third, and his attacking game often masked his defensive frailties.
Leeds opted for more defensive security in Gudmundsson, but they are missing Firpo’s attacking game in the final step, and this is where the left-back needs to step up.
If Gudmundsson improves his attacking game, he will be one of the most complete full-backs in the Premier League and make Leeds a far more dangerous team.
The Swede is a very good player, but he may be just one step away from really exploding as a modern left-back.
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