Ilia Gruev set for stalled Leeds United career as Daniel Farke admits problem

With Ethan Ampadu deputising at centre-back against Cardiff City on Saturday, Ilia Gruev was handed his third league start of the season in the Leeds United midfield.

The 23-year-old Bulgarian was rather impressive in the Welsh capital, finishing the game as the match's most accurate passer (to play 45 minutes or more) and getting stuck into a tough midfield battle.

However, Daniel Farke has admitted that Ampadu poses as the "only problem" in allowing Gruev more time on the pitch, with the 49-cap Wales international becoming undroppable under Farke at Elland Road.

Ampadu and Glen Kamara have formed one of the most formidable midfield partnerships in the Championship, helping the Whites to a fourth-place standing in the league, just seven points behind Ipswich Town in the second automatic promotion spot.

The former Chelsea man, who experienced a plethora of loans before settling down in West Yorkshire, poses the only real threat to Gruev's chances at thriving at Elland Road, one that should worry the Bulgarian.

"The only problem was playing in the central midfield position so far because Ethan Ampadu is perhaps one of the standout performers so far and this is exactly the position where we've never had problems," he told Yorkshire Evening Post after the Cardiff City victory.

"Ilia has had to wait a lot. He came in a bit in number eight positions, perhaps not his natural position, and also in some difficult away games. Even in those games, I was quite pleased with his workload."

Despite being a clear fan of Gruev, the performances by Ampadu and Kamara, as well as their experience, could have a dire effect on his career at Leeds.

The 23-year-old has only made 13 appearances since moving to Elland Road in the summer, gaining a spot in the starting XI on just four occasions and being substituted for the final minute six times.

There will still be hope that Gruev can turn his fortunes around at Leeds. But with little chance of climbing up the pecking order, his time at the club could already be at risk.

He may have been given an opportunity against Cardiff on Saturday, but that was more down to availability than anything else, with only one natural centre-back at Farke's disposal.

The manager will not want to make a habit of removing Ampadu from the midfield, meaning Gruev will be offered few chances moving forward. Could a loan move be the best for the Bulgaria international? Only time will tell.

In other Leeds United news, David Prutton has shared his verdict on “breaking the bank” during the January transfer window.