Dominic Matteo believes that Leeds United fans have yet to witness the full potential of one of Daniel Farke’s signings, who has been putting in exceptional effort in training since arriving at Elland Road. Leeds will face Southampton at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, vying for a place in the Premier League. Having lost both previous encounters this season to Russell Martin’s side, Leeds will need to adjust their strategy to secure a favorable outcome.
In their previous matches, Leeds struggled due to questionable team selections, with key players like Joe Rodon, Archie Gray, and Ilia Gruev starting on the bench. Gruev, who joined the team in January, has since established himself as a standout midfielder and is expected to be a crucial part of the lineup on Sunday. Matteo praises Gruev’s dedication and hard work in training, believing that the £5 million signing has much more to offer.
One of the season’s highlights at Elland Road was sparked by Gruev’s quick decision-making and a superb free-kick, leading to a 4-0 victory over Norwich City. This was Gruev’s first goal for Leeds since transferring from Werder Bremen. Matteo admires Gruev’s perseverance and considers him an inspirational figure, noting that despite not always being flashy, Gruev excels at the fundamentals and has the potential to contribute more goals.
Matteo recalls being impressed by Gruev’s stunning free-kick from nearly 30 yards out, a moment of brilliance that caught everyone off guard, including goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Gruev later explained that his goal was not merely a spontaneous effort but a well-considered decision made after consulting with the Leeds assistant coach. He shared how the electrifying atmosphere and his careful observation of the goalkeeper led to his decisive action, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure.