Ilia Gruev
Leeds United earned an impressive win over Nottingham Forest on Friday night. Coming into the game, both sides knew this clash would be crucial in the battle for survival.
In the last few weeks, teams in and around the relegation zone have been racking up the points. And in the transfer window, West Ham and Forest have made some major additions to their squad for the second half of the season.
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It was a game the Whites could not lose, and they delivered. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and Jayden Bogle were on the scoresheet in a huge home win.
Daniel Farke showers praise on Leeds United star
On Friday night, Daniel Farke suprised some fans with his team selection: picking Noah Okafor shocked everyone. But the winger proved why his selection was merited on the night. Ilia Gruev made just his 11th start of the campaign and provided two assists. Daniel Farke was full of praise for the midfielder at full time:
“He’s always solid, always reliable, and you can always count on him.
“You will always get a 7/10 performance, but he was pretty close to a 10/10 performance today.
“Looked a bit like a mix of Stoichkov, Bulgarian roots and or Lothar Matthaus in his prime. He defended everything, he was there with two assists as well, playing key passes in the offence, showed great skills on the ball and also great desire after his injury.
“He was full of blood in the dressing room on his face, but he embodies everything that Leeds United is about, we are perhaps not perfect, but we show great quality and also great desire and also like to improve week to week, he was outstanding today.”
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Ilia Gruev has proven himself this season
Since the Bulgarian joined the club he has never fixed himself in the team as a starter. And it is not down to his quality; the other options in the team have just played well enough to keep their spots over the last two seasons. Last year, he was a rotation option and was even linked with a move away. But he remained at Elland Road this summer and Leeds United have been better for it.
He has stepped in when the team needs him and delivered even when fans have criticized his performances. In a competition like the Premier League, depth is key; you need players who can step in and fit seamlessly – and that is exactly what Gruev gave Daniel Farke on Friday night.