‘Not so easy’… £5m Leeds player admits he found his first few months at Elland Road really tough

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Daniel Farke has liked to stick with the same starting XI for much of the season at Leeds United.

From the end of October onwards, Farke very much found a line-up that he trusted and so even in times where the schedule was looking chaotic, changes were only ever really enforced.

Unfortunately for some members of the squad, that has meant they have had to be patient for their opportunity, having not played as often as they would’ve liked.

Willy Gnonto, Jaidon Anthony, Patrick Bamford and Ilia Gruev are among that group of players who have been on the fringes, and the latter has now opened up on what that has been like.

Gruev was a £5 million signing from Werder Bremen in the summer but due to the form of Ethan Ampadu, he started just two matches up until the turn of the New Year.

Speaking on the Official Leeds United Podcast, Gruev has admitted he found it tough at Elland Road initially due to his desire to play and show what he can do.

Gruev admits tough start to life at Leeds

“To be honest it wasn’t so easy for me because my friends in Germany come here because of the football and then you are not playing it’s not so easy, and tough times.

“You say to yourself you are professional, you have to work now and if there is a chance, you have to use it. The chance was given to me and I think I used the time I played but it wasn’t so easy.

“I think it is important you don’t think so much about it because if you go home every day from training and think only about this then it’s not going to be good for you. You won’t feel free on the pitch and then it might not go in the way you want it.”

Gruev has now started Leeds’ last three matches in all competitions and is finally looking a real part of this squad thanks to a string of his impressive performances.

After a solid display at Peterborough United, Gruev then produced his best performance in a white shirt at Cardiff City. He was also very good in Sunday’s win over Preston North End.

Such has been the nature of his performances, once Pascal Struijk is back fully fit, Farke will have a real decision on his hands regarding what to do with Gruev, and the rest of his midfield.