Leeds United sent promising 'just the beginning' message on £10m star by international legend
Gabriel Gudmundsson has caught the eye of a fellow Swede during his debut Leeds United campaign.
Leeds United have been credited with a big role in Gabriel Gudmundsson’s development into a top-quality left-back.
Gudmundsson joined Leeds in a £10million deal from LOSC Lille last summer, settling in the quickest among 10 first-team arrivals. The 27-year-old got to grips with the pace of Premier League football almost instantly, his 31 top-flight starts only bettered by Championship title-winning quartet Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Jayden Bogle.
That period has also seen Gudmundsson become an increasingly important member of the Sweden squad, starting both World Cup qualifying play-off matches and Monday’s 5-1 group stage thumping of Tunisia. The Leeds man has caught the eye of compatriot and former Elland Road forward, Tomas Brolin.
“Gabriel has had a really good season at Leeds,” Brolin told the YEP via Hajper. “I haven't seen that many games but I have seen a few and in those games, he has done very well. I've seen more of Gabriel for the national team and you can tell he has developed a lot during this year at Leeds in the Premier League. That's just how it is.
“I actually played with Gudmundsson's dad in the national team, both in the U21s and the senior team. He resembles his father a lot in his playing style and he has taken big steps forward this last year, and that is really needed for the Swedish national team because we have been a little weak at full-back, both right and left.
“But now it feels like the national team has got a stable left-back, at least in my opinion. And that is probably largely thanks to his success and development at Leeds over the past year.”
Gudmundsson only turned 27 in April with the feeling his best years are still to come. The left-back should also benefit from a full pre-season in West Yorkshire alongside the experience of a Premier League season under his belt.
Asked if Gudmundsson can still get better, Brolin added: “Yes, absolutely. I believe so. There is no stopping him. But if he gets to stay healthy and have a good World Cup and continue to develop at Leeds, then absolutely.
“This is just the beginning for him, I think anyway. He has very great potential to become even better. I hope and believe that, at least.”