£5m Leeds United player has now simply made himself undroppable in 2024 under Daniel Farke

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Leeds United have enjoyed an unbelievable start to the calendar year of 2024.

The Whites have won seven of their eight matches in all competitions with their only blemish being rectified by last night’s 4-1 victory at Plymouth Argyle after extra-time.

Before Christmas, Daniel Farke had very much found himself a settled starting XI. Even in the busiest of schedules, he would be reluctant to change it, which meant some fringe players were made to be patient.

However, the turn of the New Year has provided the opportunity for a number of other members of the squad to shine, with Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo and Ilia Gruev among those who have really come to the fore.

Despite the goals and assists of the former two, it is perhaps Gruev, though, who has shone the most, with a string of top performances in the centre of midfield.

Gruev has made himself undroppable at Leeds

Following his £5 million arrival from Werder Bremen at the end of August, Gruev started just two matches in his first four months at Leeds, with the extent of his ability still very much unknown.

However, since Leeds’ 3-0 win over Birmingham City on New Year’s Day, Gruev has gone onto play 90+ minutes, continuing to just get better and better with his performances.

As per Sofa Score, his pass success rate has dropped below 90 per cent in just one of those games, but his ability to win the ball back with tackles and duels is perhaps his most impressive attribute.

With Leeds pushing for a winner last night, Gruev was one a one man midfield in stoppage time and extra-time. After Joe Gelhardt hit the post, Plymouth had been on the verge of launching a counter-attack until an incredible sliding tackle from the 23-year-old stopped it in his tracks.

All these aspects of his game have now made him simply undroppable at Leeds now moving forward into the rest of the season, but that leaves Farke with some very big decisions.

When Pascal Struijk comes back, you would expect him to slot straight back in at left centre-back. Ethan Ampadu will then be pushed back into midfield, but Gruev and Glen Kamara have formed a brilliant partnership.

Once Connor Roberts is fully integrated into the side, Archie Gray then also becomes an option in centre midfield. Farke is really spoilt for choice.