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​In a rare moment of unbridled praise, Roy Keane has hailed Leeds United’s Ilia Gruev as one of the “players of the season” following his breathtaking display in Leeds’ 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Friday night, February 6, 2026.
​While Elland Road witnessed goals from Jayden Bogle, Noah Okafor, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, it was the Bulgarian midfielder who stole the show. Gruev provided two sublime assists in the first half alone, dictating the tempo with a performance that Keane described as “total authority.”
​”I’m usually the first to find fault, but I was completely blown away tonight,” Keane admitted on Sky Sports. “Gruev didn’t just play well; he ran the entire show. His decision-making, his energy, his weight of pass—it was unmatched. We talk about the big-name midfielders in this league, but on this form, he’s one of the best in the country. It was a masterclass.”
​The Leeds faithful were in total agreement, serenading the midfielder with a standing ovation when he was substituted late in the game. With three goal involvements in his last two outings, Gruev has become the heartbeat of Daniel Farke’s side. Fans took to social media to echo Keane’s sentiments, with many claiming the 25-year-old is the primary reason Leeds are now pulling away from the relegation scrap.
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