Qudus SalihuIn a televised segment that has stunned viewers, Roy Keane set aside his legendary cynicism to deliver an extraordinary glowing review of Ilia Gruev following Leeds United’s 3-1 demolition of Nottingham Forest at Elland Road. Keane, who is notoriously difficult to impress, admitted he was “absolutely blown away” by the Bulgarian midfielder’s masterclass, going as far as to label him one of the “best players in the league this season.”
Gruev was the undisputed architect of the victory, providing two inch-perfect assists—one for Jayden Bogle and another for Dominic Calvert-Lewin—while dictating the tempo of the game with a technical precision that left the Forest midfield chasing shadows. “We talk about top-level vision, but what I saw today was different,” Keane remarked during the post-match analysis. “He’s playing the game two steps ahead of everyone else. It was an unmatched display of composure and bravery on the ball.”
The praise is particularly significant given the stakes of the match, which saw Leeds move nine points clear of the relegation zone. Keane noted that while many players “shrink” under the pressure of a survival scrap, Gruev has flourished, becoming the heartbeat of Daniel Farke’s resurgent side. “I don’t say this lightly, but he’s been one of the standout performers in the entire Premier League this year,” Keane added, silencing the studio. “If he was playing for one of the top four, we’d be talking about him as a world-class talent every single week.”
Social media has been flooded with clips of Keane’s rare “fanboy” moment, with Leeds supporters celebrating the validation of their midfield general. For a player who often operates under the radar, Gruev’s performance against Forest—and the subsequent “Keane seal of approval”—has officially catapulted him into the national spotlight as one of the most effective and elegant playmakers in English football today.
Nafisa
Qudus Salihu
Rabiu Aminu
Mustapha Sheidu