'It hasn't been super optimal' - Leeds United star Gabriel Gudmundsson's admission after early-season issues
Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson has spoken candidly regarding his early-season injury struggle
Leeds United star Gabriel Gudmundsson has conceded his body has “taken a beating” after shaking off an injury.
Very few - if any - need convincing of Gudmundsson’s importance to the Leeds cause. A £10m acquisition from Lille in the summer of 2025, the defender has looked at home in Daniel Farke’s system.
However, Leeds had to do without their star left-back at the end of last season and the beginning of the current campaign. Between his two injury setbacks, the 27-year-old represented Sweden at the World Cup and went on Leeds’ pre-season tour of the USA.
He is now back in action and feeling healthy after his hamstring problem, but has revealed he is taking longer to recover from games.
Gabriel Gudmundsson’s fitness admission
He told Fotbollskanalen: “It hasn't been super optimal for me. I went to the back in the pre-season, then it was straight into the Premier League and I started straight away, Brighton away.
“Since then it has gone well, but it's clear that my body has taken a beating.
“It takes me a little longer to recover from the matches. But I feel good, there are no problems. But the pre-season has been the league game and it has taken a little time for the body to get into the rhythm. My body feels good, I'm ready. There's no problem.”
Gabriel Gudmundsson’s time at Leeds United
Gudmundsson did not play a part in any of Leeds’ first three games this term, but has since appeared in every fixture.
If he features against Arsenal on October 10, he will be making his 40th competitive appearance across all competitions for the Whites.
He has only registered one assist as a Leeds player, but regularly poses a threat to opposition defenders in the final third.