‘I was impressed’… Neil Redfearn says £4m Leeds United player’s passing was so good against Preston

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Neil Redfearn has commented on the performance of Ilia Gruev as Leeds United claimed a dramatic win over Preston North End on Sunday.

Ilia Gruev has definitely had to be patient since his £4 million move to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

The midfielder has tended to be an understudy to Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara this season. But with Ampadu dropping into defence to cover for Pascal Struijk, the Bulgarian has completed 90 minutes in four of the last five games in all competitions.

He certainly looked comfortable against Preston on Sunday as Leeds won 2-1. Leeds were rarely troubled after the opening stages. And Gruev made more key passes than any other player on the pitch, according to Whoscored.

Neil Redfearn praises Ilia Gruev after Leeds win

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after the game, Neil Redfearn suggested that Gruev caught his eye with his display.

“I was impressed with Gruev. I thought he connected passes, I thought he got on the ball and played when it was tough to play. When they were physical and there were challenges coming in, he got on it and he found space to get on it and play. And he kept knitting passes together which helped Leeds going forward, so he can be pleased with his performance,” he said.

Midfielder stepping up after difficult start

In some ways, Gruev’s start to life at Leeds evokes memories of what Mateusz Klich went through when he joined.

Klich barely started during his first season at Leeds, and spent the second-half of the season out on loan. He subsequently had to fight his way into Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.

Gruev has now got his chance, so you cannot see him leaving anytime soon. And it really appears that he is making the most of his opportunity.

It is going to be interesting to see what Daniel Farke does when Struijk is back. Glen Kamara did not have his best day on Sunday. But he played brilliantly alongside Ampadu. So Gruev needs to keep this form up if he is going to remain a starter when Farke has everyone back.