£5.6m Leeds man makes it clear what his best position is, was used in new role by his country

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Ilia Gruev has endured a dismal international break. A handful of days after joining Leeds United, he jetted off to represent Bulgaria – and has told outlet Trud that he feels “much better” playing in midfield.

Gruev, 23, cost Leeds a fee of £5.6m in the window – joining the club in the final 48 hours of the window. It comes after establishing himself as a Bundesliga-level central midfielder, while with Werder Bremen.

Leeds needed depth and in came Gruev, as well as Glen Kamara. It will be interesting to see who Daniel Farke decides to play in the middle – Gruev, Kamara, Archie Gray and Ethan Ampadu all in the running.

But Gruev suffered during the break. Called up by his nation Bulgaria, he started on the left of a back three against Iran – and it was his mistake that led to the only goal of the game. A poor header back.

The second game saw him last 90 minutes again – this time, against Montenegro away from home. His side looked as though they were going to pick up a point – but ex-Man City man Stefan Jovetic struck.

“We were unlucky. We put a lot of pressure on them. One counter attack and we scored again. We don’t have luck, this is football. I feel much better in midfield. I play where the coach lets me,” Gruev told Trud.

Leeds United man Ilia Gruev says he prefers playing in midfield

What Gruev did display throughout his 90 minutes is a willingness to get on the ball and pass it around. Free-flowing, technically solid, defensively well-positioned. Bulgaria were unlucky not to win a point.

Gruev will now be on his way back to Yorkshire as Leeds start to prepare for Sunday’s grudge match at Millwall. A game which sees Jamie Shackleton and Charlie Cresswell return to The Den after loan spells.