How the media reacted to Tarik Muharemovic's Leeds United debut vs Sunderland
Leeds United are going to have a lot of fun with Tarik Muharemovic.
The 23-year-old centre-back has moved to Elland Road with the expectation that he will become the poster boy for Leeds' defence of the future.
That future started in the early hours of Friday morning, as the Whites took on Sunderland in New Jersey.
Daniel Farke's side ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a fantastic strike from Lukas Nmecha just eight minutes into the game.
Leeds deployed a strong starting XI against the Black Cats, with Regis Le Bris also putting out a side largely comprising of first-team regulars as well.
It also marked a Whites debut for Muharemovic, and as evidenced by how the media have reacted to it, his display was one to remember.
Why the media loved Tarik Muharemovic's Leeds debut
MOT Leeds News predicted that Muharemovic would be handed his Leeds debut against Sunderland, and that's precisely what Farke did.
It was an extended debut as well, with the Bosnian international playing 87 minutes before being replaced by Charlie Crew.
Leeds look to have acquired a gem too, with the media waxing lyrical over what they saw from him across the pond.
"Got a big cheer as he made his first defensive tackle. Was not the last one he made. Calm, bolshy, also very left-footed. Positioning was great and he cut a lot out because of that. You can see his footballing brain. Kept a clean sheet on debut. Nine," wrote Leeds Live.
Graham Smyth via the Yorkshire Evening Post went with: "Looked sharp in his first 45 minutes. Good on the ball and defended smartly. Very much in control in the second half. Read it well. Impressive first showing. Eight."
"Tarik Muharemović - first impressions. Wow. Mopping up everything on the left-hand side. Reads the game well, intercepts, strong in the tackle- committed. Excellent quick feet and accurate passing. Dropped a 60-yard diagonal onto the laces of Jayden Bogle," said Telegraph writer Adonis Storr via X.
Yorkshire Evening Post writer Kyle Newbould wrote via X: "Cautious not to draw any major conclusions from pre-season but Tarik Muharemovic looks some player, doesn't he? Quick on the turn, strong in the tackle and decisive on the ball. A promising start to his Leeds United career."
Muharemovic's display even caught the eye of Sunderland Echo reporter Phil Smith, who wrote via X: "Sadly, Muharemović looks class."
It shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone to see Muharemovic instantly shining at the back for Leeds, as his World Cup performances for Bosnia told the Whites everything they needed to know about their new central defender.
How Muharemovic enjoyed World Cup-leading tournament
In the modern age of football, the art of being an old-school centre-back is increasingly becoming a lost one.
So many coaches now want players in this position to effectively act as a deeper line of central midfielders, and thus the stock for those who thrive on heading and clearing every ball that moves has never really been lower at the top level.
That's not to say Muharemovic can't play with the ball at this feet, but his big strengths certainly lie in doing the fundamental parts of defending: winning duels, clearing balls from danger and protecting his goal.
This was shown to a World Cup-leading level this summer, as per FotMob, no centre-back at the tournament made more clearances per 90 minutes than Muharemovic's 14.2.
He also ranked in the top 1.3 percentile amongst his positional rivals for his 17.7 defensive contributions per 90, as well as being in the leading 2.6 per cent for tackles won per 90 at 2.77.
Muharemovic's 4.15 duels won per game placed him in the top 3.2 per cent, whilst his 92.3 per cent aerial duel win rate ranked him in the leading 6.5 percentile.
In short, Muharemovic may not be the most flashy, ball-playing centre-back you've ever seen, but his ability to win duels, be strong and effective in the tackle and protect his goal with a warrior-like spirit will see him quickly win the hearts of the Elland Road faithful.