Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle have been named as the early frontrunners for the Leeds United Player of the Year award after their impressive starts to the Premier League season.
Left-back has been a problem position for Leeds United for several years, and it looked set to cause Daniel Farke another headache following the departure of cult hero Junior Firpo.
However, Swedish international Gabriel Gudmundsson has wasted no time in making the position his own, enjoying a strong start to life in the Premier League.
Gudmundsson and his fellow full-back Jayden Bogle have both been in strong form for Leeds so far this season, providing a threat in attack while also looking assured in defence.
Now, Beren Cross of The Athletic has explained why he believes the pair are the early frontrunners for the Player of the Year award, as Leeds prepare for a difficult trip to Brighton.
Gabriel Gudmundsson in action for Leeds.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson praised for strong Leeds United form
Speaking on the Square Ball Podcast, Cross singled out Leeds’ full-back combination for praise as Farke looks to become the first Leeds manager to beat Brighton in the Premier League.
According to Cross, both players have a strong understanding of when to defend and when to attack, providing crucial balance to Farke’s side.
Cross said: “I think Okafor is crucial. If they are going to improve his conversion rates and they are going to use Calvert-Lewin as that kind of launch pad and target man that they can feed off, Okafor’s got the ability to then put away chances off the back of that.
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“That direct running is so crucial, isn’t it, in the Premier League? Gudmundsson and Bogle have been right up there for players of the year for me.
“I mean, Gudmundsson is just so good going in both directions and his judgment of knowing when to go, when to either underlap or to overlap down that left-hand side is so, so impressive. And that combination is going to be crucial.”
Jayden Bogle in action for Leeds against Everton.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Gabriel Gudmundsson enjoying brilliant Premier League start
Leeds were criticised for the way they sat back in the closing stages of their win over West Ham, as a late goal from the visitors threatened to turn a one-sided contest on its head.
However, the impact of both Gudmundsson and Okafor being withdrawn before the start of the second half should not be underestimated, as Leeds lost two of their standout players.
Gudmundsson’s stats from the Premier League season to date, provided by FotMob, demonstrate his value to Farke’s side. With the ball at his feet, Gudmundsson has completed 12 successful crosses, created nine chances and completed 10 successful dribbles.
Gabriel Gudmundsson after 9 Premier League games:
Successful Crosses – 12
Chances Created – 9
Successful Dribbles – 10
Duels Won – 43
Recoveries – 31
Tackles – 17
Interceptions – 9
Blocked Shots – 3
Defensively, he has won 43 duels, 31 recoveries, 17 tackles, made nine interceptions, and blocked three shots. He is already paying back the faith Leeds showed in him when they brought him to England this summer.