Ilia Gruev

Gruev's positioning is built around anticipation rather than reaction, stepping into a passing lane a fraction before the pass arrives so the interception looks routine rather than dramatic. He keeps the ball moving simply once he wins it, choosing the pass that keeps possession rather than the ambitious one that risks losing it straight back. That discipline in front of the back four means Leeds concede fewer chances from central areas than they otherwise might.

The trouble with a player this understated is that his contribution is easy to miss unless you are specifically watching for it, because preventing a chance never looks as dramatic as scoring or saving one. Fans used to more expressive midfielders sometimes underrate what he does for the team's structure. Whether he gets the recognition his positioning deserves depends on how the team copes without him.