The newest Leeds United signing spoke to the media for the first time since signing
Nico Elvedi made his Leeds debut on Tuesday
Nico Elvedi made his Leeds debut on Tuesday(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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A smiling Nico Elvedi greeted the press after a very impressive Leeds United debut against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
The £8million centre-back, who only arrived in England nine days prior, offered the most defensive contributions (11), tackles (four) and interceptions (three) out of the whole team. Farke labelled his performance “outstanding” and "excellent".
The 29-year-old himself was also pleased with his own display, albeit with a humble tone. “It was OK," he said.
"I had a hard battle with Chris Wood, it was not easy. But I like it when the play is strong and yeah, I think I did well. Still things to improve, but for the first game, it was OK.”
Elvedi was brought in as a replacement for Hamburg-loaned Sebastiaan Bornauw, who had asked to leave Leeds having started just five Premier League games last season.
This transfer marks a big change for the Swiss, who started each of his country’s six World Cup games en route to the quarter-finals.
Elvedi spent 11 years at Borussia Monchengladbach and the club’s sporting chief labelled him as a Gladbach legend upon his departure this month. “It was hard because Gladbach was my family,” Elvedi admitted.
“I played 11 years there, so a lot of good memories there. But now it's a new step in my career, so yeah, happy.”
Initial reactions from his CV - which includes more than 300 Bundesliga appearances, 15 Champions League games and 73 international caps - prompted the belief in many that he would be an upgrade on Bornauw.
Tuesday’s showing was an encouraging start and, while the player was coy on what chats have been had with former Gladbach boss Daniel Farke, he indeed has not arrived at Leeds to simply make up the numbers.
Asked about getting game time, he replied: “That's my goal, I think as a football player you always want to be on the pitch. Yeah, so I give everything in every training and we will see.
Nico Elvedi of Leeds United
Elvedi came into the backline for the Carabao Cup second round tie(Image: Getty)
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“I had the manager also in Gladbach, he knows me very well. We have good players in this position. It's a battle, but I like it.”
The competition is fierce. Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and fellow new signing Tarik Muharemovic are considered the main-pick starters but there is no guarantee that any are assured of their spots with Elvedi pushing for game time.
The defender’s ability to play across all centre-back positions is a string to his bow in this regard, albeit there is one role he prefers most. “When I have to choose one, I think it's the middle,” he explained.
“I played it also last season in Gladbach in this position, but I can play every position at the back three.”
Elvedi says it is a “dream” to be at a Premier League club and is looking forward to playing in the English top-flight for the first time, whether that be against Brentford on Sunday or at a later date.
His own belief that he is well set for the Premier League was backed up by Tuesday’s showing. Off the field, his integration has been helped by the many German-speaking teammates in the squad.
One colleague he knows well, of course, is Swiss countryman Noah Okafor. The attacker spoke to Elvedi about the “good things” going on at Leeds before he signed.
Elvedi added: “He spoke a lot about the fans, the Elland Road, so I'm very excited [for] Sunday there. Looking forward to it and yeah, he also told me it's a very funny team, very funny teammates. So it makes it easy for me.”
If Elvedi can keep putting in the kind of performance he delivered on Tuesday, everyone at Leeds will be laughing and smiling.
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